Saturday 13th July 2024
July Cup Day Preview
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates)
Feature Meeting: Newmarket
1.40: Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes: It’s July Cup Day this Saturday at Newmarket and we kick things off with the 1.40 which is a fillies maiden over seven furlongs. I like Desert Flower here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. She looks a promising type for a yard who has had a lot of success in this race and on this course in general. I don’t generally put newcomers up as I like horses that have had the experience of a run, who will then naturally progress, but it’s hard to ignore these connections on this course. Desert Flower – 7/4 (Win)
2.12: Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap: Next up is the 2.12 which is more fillies action this time in the form of a Class 2 handicap over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Heritage House here who’s currently trading at a best price of 9/1 for James Fanshawe and Sean Levey. She’s looking fairly exposed, however, has been plying her trade within Listed and Group 3 company so far this term so a drop down into handicaps could suit her. She ran well when finishing a fifth in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes on the Rowley Mile earlier this year, and a repeat of that level of form could be enough to see her go close in this. Heritage House – 9/1 (Each-Way)
2.50: bet365 Mile Handicap: The third race of the afternoon comes up at 2.50 and this is another Class 2 handicap, this time over a mile. I’m with Volterra here for the team of Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves. He won on the Rowley Mile here impressively back in May and was better than the result shows at Royal Ascot in the Britannia Stakes when he finished eleventh of twenty-nine. He won his group in that race, but was evidently on the wrong side of the track. He’ll contest this off the same mark as that Ascot run and I think he’s still progressive. Volterra – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.25: bet365 Superlative Stakes: We move into Group 2 company at 3:25 with the Superlative Stakes over seven furlongs. This looks to be all about Ancient Truth for me who’s another representative for the boys in blue of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He comes into the race boasting a perfect record of two from two with both victories coming at this track, one on the July Course and the other on the Rowley Mile. He looks tailor-made for this race and the yard have had success in this particular contest in recent years with the likes of Native Trail and Master Of The Seas. A bold showing would be no surprise. Ancient Truth – 7/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.00: bet365 Bunbury Cup: My penultimate selection of the afternoon comes in the 4.00 which is a Heritage Handicap in the form of the Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Aalto here for Ian Williams and Rossa Ryan. He’s been in consistent form this season, knocking on the door in several competitive handicaps, and remains on a mark that looks workable. He’s yet to win since moving to these shores from France, however, his half-of-a-length second at Haydock earlier this month gives the impression that his time could be close. If getting some luck in the run here I think he can go well. Aalto – 11/1 (Each-Way)
4.35: My Pension Expert July Cup Stakes: Signing me off for the day will be the feature race which is the Group 1 July Cup that’s contested over six furlongs. In this year’s renewal of the prestigious sprint race, I’m siding with Inisherin for Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves. There’s an element of star quality about him, as he showcased in his most recent success which came when winning the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup by two-lengths at Royal Ascot. He’s the one they all have to beat on that form and he could progress even further, which has to make him a massive player. It would be disappointing should he not go very close. Inisherin – 11/4 (Win) (NB)
