THE three-day Moët & Chandon July Festival runs from Thursday – Saturday at Newmarket, the home of flat racing. Thursday’s card is excellent, with the exciting Al Aasy heading the market in the 3.35 Princess Of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes Group 2 (1m 4f). Al Aasy has won twice at Newbury this season and then ran well to finish a neck second to the tough and talented Pyledriver in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.  In this five-runner field it is hard to see Al Asay Unibet 8/13 win being beaten. The Tatterstalls July Stakes looks an exciting contest with plenty of juveniles reappearing from Royal Ascot, whilst the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes field includes Derab, Baaeed, Maximal and One Ruler.

I’ll be presenting at Newmarket for the first time since 2019 and I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces in the popular Summer House Restaurant as well as all the other hospitality areas too. Newmarket’s Head Of Culinary Damian Adams and all the hospitality team have been working so hard in preparation for their first high profile meeting with a crowd.

Enjoy all the racing whether at Newmarket or watching at home on ITV and Racing TV.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster 

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

Stowell can strike here for the John & Thady Gosden team, who currently have a 33% strike rate, after really catching the eye in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over one mile six furlongs when third behind Kemari. Stowell came wide in to the straight and was nearest at the finish after not being given a hard ride by Frankie Dettori, as Stowell was never going to get on terms with the winner. There is more to come from Stowell, who can secure his first Group success.

Unibet 15/8 win

2.25 Newmarket – Tattersalls July Stakes Group 2 (6f)

Project Dante had a good win on debut at York in May, with the second winning next time out. He then showed massive improvement to finish third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot to Perfect Power when not getting a clear run until the last furlong. This form has already had a boost with second home Go Bears Go a winner of the Group 2 Railway Stakes at The Curragh last weekend. Project Dante looks ready for the step up to six furlongs and is the one to beat here.

Unibet 3/1 win

Asymmetric won on debut at Goodwood and then followed up in good style here at Newmarket when quickening away smoothly. There is plenty of improvement to come and this Showcasing colt has definite each way claims.

Unibet 11/1 each way

3.00 Newmarket – Heritage Handicap (6f)

Just Frank is dropping back to six furlongs, which looks the right trip for him, as last time out at Chester he ran over seven furlongs and just lost out to the late challenge of Master Zoffany. This was a return to form for Just Frank, who has won on the Rowley mile, and from stall 18 can either lie up with the pace or dictate from there with this side of the draw looking more favourable for those who like to go on.

Unibet 14/1 each way

Peerless has form of figures of 1412 this season and has gone from a rating of 68 to 84 in 2021. Last time out over five and half furlongs Peerless was just held at Bath when a neck second to The Cruising Lord on quick going. That was a good performance, whilst earlier in the season Peerless won at Nottingham and Lingfield. Quick conditions and six furlongs will suit.

Unibet 16/1 each way

4.10 Newmarket – Sir Henry Cecil Stakes Listed Race (1m)

Baaeed (nap) by Sea The Stars is having only his third career start for William Haggis and can retain his unbeaten record stepping up to Listed company for the first time. Baaeed won his maiden on good to firm at Leicester in last month beating Tamaamm (won next start) and then followed up on good to soft here at Newmarket when defeating Komachi by seven and half lengths. There was plenty to like about the way Baaeed drew clear that day and whilst this a different level he looks an exciting prospect.

Unibet 9/4 win