NEWMARKET JULY FESTIVAL – THURSDAY

1:20 Maiden Fillies’

Starmas (Sean Levey)

Nothing went right for her on debut at York where she was slow leaving the stalls then got bumped and barged so could never get into a nice rhythm, but she finished her race very well and would’ve learnt plenty in the process; she’ll also appreciate the extra furlong.

Cruise (Cieren Fallon)

She’s a nice speedy filly who came from the Breeze Ups in France and is from a family with plenty of winners, including Tangled who I trained. Everything she’s done at home has been good, and I do expect her to come on for the experience, but she’s very talented and won’t be far away. 

2:25 G2 July Stakes

Persian Force (Rossa Ryan)

He may have been beaten in the Coventry but still proved he’s a very good horse and he’s been in great shape at home ever since. The ground will be ideal, he won’t have any issue with the track and he bids to follow in the hoof prints of his sire, Mehmas, was was second in the Coventry before winning this on his next start. 

3:00 Handicap

Bosh (Pat Dobbs)

He’s always been a colt with plenty of ability who proved he’d trained on by running a cracking race on his return at Newbury in April and he wasn’t in love with the ground at Goodwood last time. The drop back to six furlongs is a big plus and a reproduction of his excellent run in the sales race at Naas would see him bang there.

Witch Hunter (Rossa Ryan)

He was slightly disappointing at Windsor last time but had a very good blow afterwards so he’ll definitely strip fitter here and there is likely to be plenty of pace which will really suit. He’s always been a colt we’ve held in very high regard and his big day isn’t far away.

Gisburn (Sean Levey)

He doesn’t want it quick, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on the ground, but he is getting older now so should hopefully cope with it better, but if it’s rock hard he won’t run because he jarred himself up badly in last year’s Coventry and it took a while to get him back which is why Sean looked after him at York last time. He has plenty of ability and any rain would definitely help him.

Unibet’s 15 To Go offer is available on this race

4:10 Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes

Dawn Of Liberation (Pat Dobbs)

I think he found the sharp seven furlongs at Epsom against him last time because he seemed to get caught flat footed before staying on again, so the step back up to a mile is in his favour and we’re looking at taking him back to Goodwood for the Golden Mile so he’d need to put up a decent show here for that to remain the plan. 

4:40 Handicap

Dingle (Alec Voikhansky 7lbs)

He doesn’t win as often as he should but he’s generally consistent and found ten furlongs too far at Windsor last time so he’s dropping back in trip and Alec’s 7lbs claim brings him almost down to bottom weight.