DAY one of the Moët & Chandon July Festival, featuring three Group races and one Listed contest at the home of flat racing and we can look forward to three days of top racing in the sunshine on the July course. Persian Force has a strong chance in the July Stakes for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon and Mostahdaf, in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes, surely has so much more improvement to come for the John and Thady Gosden team over this trip.

Enjoy whether at Newmarket or #athome watching on ITV Racing or Racing TV. 

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.50 Newmarket – Bahrain Trophy Stakes Group 3 (1m 5f)

Deauville Legend (nap) looked an unlucky second to Secret State when defeated by a head in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, after not getting a clear run and the form looks very solid. Interestingly, Masakela’s Derby fourth makes him the one to beat on form, however the handicapper says that wasn’t much better than what he was achieving previously, only putting him a pound. Deauville Legend, in contrast for his Royal Ascot second, was put up six pounds, he continues to improve and should do again for this extra furlong. Al Qareem will lead these but Deauville Legend to sit second and get first crack at the pacemaker, and then he can hold the finishers off. 

Unibet 15/2 each way

2.25 Newmarket – July Stakes Group 2 (6f)

Persian Force for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon can go one better than his Coventry Stakes second to the impressive Bradsell at Royal Ascot. The Coventry was run in a good time, and Bradsell looks Group class at present, so Persian Force’s second, staying on all the way to the line, makes him the one to beat as this looks better form than his main rival Little Big Bear’s Windsor Castle success over five furlongs. The second from the Windsor Castle Rocket Rodney might have won at the Sandown Eclipse meeting, however that didn’t look strong form on that occasion. Richard Hannon has made it very clear that he regards Persian Force as seriously Group class and he can come out on top here.

Unibet 13/8 win

3.00 Newmarket – Handicap (6f)

Le Beau Garcon looked unlucky on his sole start this season in early June when being hampered early on and then never really settling to finishing second to Sophie’s Star at Musselburgh over five furlongs. As a juvenile he won on two of his three appearances both on good to firm.  Le Beau Garcon is running over this trip for the first time and looked ready to step up in distance judged on his Musselburgh race. He has strong each way claims off a low weight.

Unibet 17/2 each way

Twelfth Night unraced as a juvenile has career form figures of 32121 and apart from the current favourite Khanjar is the only other runner who won last time out with his success at Windsor on good to firm. On his previous start he finished a close second to Lil Guff, who reopposes here. Twelfth Night is steadily progressing and can take another step forward on ground that will suit.

Unibet 16/1 each way

3.35 Newmarket – Princess Of Wales’s Stakes Close Brothers Stakes Group 2 (1m 4f) 

Mostahdaf, this son of Frankel, is still open to plenty of improvement and can go one better than his second in the Hardwicke Stakes to Broome at Royal Ascot on his first try over this 1m 4f trip. Broome is a smart performer and Mostahdaf, who should be suited by the way this race unfolds, will appreciate the quick conditions on the way to his seventh career victory from ten starts.

Unibet 5/4 win                      

4.10 Newmarket – Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes Listed (1m)

Albahr hasn’t been seen since January when finishing unplaced in Meydan when not appearing to be suited by dirt. Last season he completed a 4-timer for the Charlie Appleby team, which included a Listed contest at Salisbury and a Summer Stakes victory at Woodbine in Canada. This well-travelled gelding is proven on quick going, is right there on the official rating and if retaining all his ability is sure to give a good account.

Unibet 13/2 each way