THE Moët & Chandon July Festival starts today and we have three days of cracking racing to look forward to including today’s July Stakes, which sees Frankie Dettori taking the ride on the very exciting Visinari in a fascinating contest. Later on in the Princes of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes, Masar will be looking to have a smoother start than in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, where another of today’s contenders Mirage Dancer finished two places ahead of the 2018 Derby winner in third. The field also includes Baghdad, who has won his two last starts, including at Royal Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. An intriguing Group Two in which Masar really should return to winning ways.
I’m looking forward to three days of presenting at the July Festival and a glass of Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 today!
1.50 Newmarket Bahrain Trophy Group 3 1m 5f
Eagles By Day is the clear form pick on third to Japan in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot and although that was on slower ground, he was a 7l winner on good to firm at Salisbury earlier in the year. A repeat of his latest performance is certainly good enough and the step up in trip will suit.
Unibet 15/8 win
2.25 Newmarket July Stakes Group 2 6f
Visinari made a big impression on debut when winning here over today’s trip last month and can follow up here today. He recorded a big speed figure in the process and can surely make the step up in class against some strong opposition including the Coventry Stakes third Guildsman. Frankie Dettori takes the ride for Mark Johnston.
Unibet 5/6 win
3.00 Newmarket Handicap 6f
Philipine Cobra found the drop back to 5f against him here last time but the step back up to 6 furlongs will suit. Looks sure to lead the low numbers and was very easy winner of a class 2 event at York over this trip time before. Quick ground no issue either and could go close if getting loose for inform trainer Phil McEntee.
Unibet 16/1 each way
Pass The Vino was impressive on debut for his new trainer Paul D’Arcy when winning easily at Wolverhampton back in March. He is a very interesting contender here and if he steps up from that success Pass The Vino looks sure to get placed at a minimum.
Unibet 16/1 each way
5.10 Newmarket Handicap 1m
Wings Of Time (nap) continues to progress for Charlie Appleby and it is hard to knock his chance on handicap debut. He is unexposed and ran well over C&D last time when second to Cadre du Noir. Has Artistic Rifles to give him a tow into the race and can take over at the furlong pole.
Unibet 3/1 win
