Friday 8th July 2022

Author: Jordan Yates

Welcome aboard to my preview for Day Two of the July Meeting at Newmarket where once again I’ll be kicking things off with the 1:50 which this time comes in the form of a Heritage Handicap that’s contested over a mile and two furlongs. I’ve been pretty boring on this occasion as I’m siding with New London who’s currently sitting prominently in the betting at 10/3 for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s not been seen since he had his colours lowered by Changingoftheguard at Chester’s May Festival when a short price to win the race. Before that though, he was seen as a potential classic contender having won his first two starts here but on the Rowley Mile. Despite that defeat last time I still think he has the potential to be a bit better than a handicapper and he could well prove that here.

The 2:25 is up next which is the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes a Group 2 affair over six furlongs. Despite having a small field, this is a competitive affair, but I’ve gone with the Ralph Beckett trained Lezoo at 11/4, who’s the current mount of Frankie Dettori. She was last seen winning over course and distance a couple of weeks ago when taking a listed contest here in pretty impressive style, winning comfortably by just shy of two-lengths. She gave the impression that day that there’s a considerable amount of progression still to come from her and she’s well worth her place within this grade.

My third and final punt of the day comes in the 3:00 which is another Heritage Handicap this time over a distance of a mile and six furlongs. Sixteen runners are set to go to post here and of said sixteen I’ve taken a chance on Zoffee who’s currently trading at a best price of 10/1 for the combination of Hugo Palmer and Frankie Dettori. He’s a horse who’s usually associated with the National Hunt sphere when plying his trade over both hurdles and fences, however, he was last seen when taking the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle at that back end of last month where he won in taking style, going away at the end. He’s been given a six-pounds higher rating back on turf for this assingnment which I think could prove leniant given the style in which he won last time.