Thursday 10th July 2025
Thursday’s Best Bets
2.25: Newmarket (Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes)
BRUSSELS – 15/8 (Win)
It’s the July Festival at Newmarket this week, and my first selection of the day comes within the 2.25 there, which is the Group 2 Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes over six furlongs. I like Brussels here for the all-conquering Ballydoyle team of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. It’s usually a good one that wins on their first start for the O’Brien, and this two-year-old by Wootton Bassett did just that at the Curragh in May when getting the better of stablemate Kansas by three-quarters of a length, and that rival has won since. He ran on well that day, and he should naturally progress significantly coming into his second start here. I think he could prove to be significantly better than these over time, and he should go close here.
3.35: Newmarket (Princess Of Wales’s Stakes)
GHOSTWRITER – 15/8 (Win) (NB)
My second selection of the afternoon comes within the 3.35 at Newmarket, and this is the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes that’s contested over a mile and four furlongs. I think that Ghostwriter is the one that they all have to beat here for Clive Cox and David Egan. He’s got several pieces of strong form to his name within Group 1 company, and ran well last time out at Royal Ascot when just over three lengths behind Rebel’s Romance when finishing third. He kept on that day, given that this trip could unlock further improvement, and I think he can have a big say here in what doesn’t look as strong of a race.
4.45: Newmarket (Sir Henry Cecil Stakes)
OPERA BALLO – 11/8 (Win) (NAP)
My NAP of the day comes within the 4.45 at Newmarket and this is the Listed Henry Cecil Stakes, which is contested over a mile. I find it hard to see past the exciting Opera Ballo who currently heads the betting for the team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He bounced back from a disappointing run in the Craven Stakes with an assertive display in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown in May, getting the better of the smart Bay City Roller by two and a half lengths, and that rival came out next time and finished three-quarters of a length second in a French Group 2. That gives that form a very solid feel, and the Appleby charge looks to be still firmly on the upgrade. A bold showing here would be no surprise.
5.20: Newmarket
DUTCH DECOY – 12/1 (Each-Way) (4 places)
Selection number four and my final one of the day comes within the 5.20 at Newmarket and this is a Class 3 handicap, which is ridden over a mile. This is extremely competitive, however, I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here in Dutch Decoy for Charlie Johnston and Jack Mitchell. It’s been a very long time since he last tasted success; however, he posted his best effort for a while at Doncaster last time out when just a length and a half behind the winner, eventually finishing fourth, and he’s been dropped a further pound for that effort. He’s now fourteen pounds below his last winning mark, and that success came over course and distance. He seems to enjoy the July course here, as he’s a three-time course and distance winner, with each of those victories coming off considerably higher marks. I think he’s weighted to go well here at a nice price.
