Race 1
Day 2 of the July Festival at Newmarket kicks off with the 7F Silver Bunbury Cup Handicap and with just seven horses declared it will be just two places for each way bets. James Bethell has his string in fine fettle at the minute and I think his 7yo son of Invincible Spirit Truth Or Dare could go well at a nice price. He hasn’t put his best hoof forward on his last couple of starts but he showed he still has lots of ability when beaten a head at Doncaster three runs ago.
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| Truth Or Dare could go well for in form James Bethell. |
That effort came off a mark of 87 over 7f on good ground and he gets to race off the same rating today. The form of that short head second to Salateen has worked out nicely too, with the 3rd and 4th home both scoring since. Truth Or Dare should have no problems on the good to firm ground at Newmarket as two of his three career wins have come on fast ground and he has shown some of his best form in smaller fields. He races off his last winning mark, his trainer has been amongst the winners and at odds of 18/1 he is the each way pick.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: TRUTH OR DARE E/W @ 18/1 NAP
Race 2
The Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes is a 6f contest for 2yp fillies and a total of nine horses will line up. Unbeaten filly Main Edition will likely go off as favourite after her neck defeat of La Pelosa at Royal Ascot and I can’t see the Godolphin filly turning the form around. Angel’s Hideaway was a further 2L back in 4th at Ascot and Pretty Pollyanna was 5th and those two could be set for minor honours again.
The one I am interested in at a tasty price is the Richard Hannon trained Come On Leicester. This daughter of Kodiac also ran at Royal Ascot in the 5f Queen Mary and she stayed on very well for 5th. She has just over a length to find with Gossamer Wings who was 2nd and I think this extra furlong will enable her to turn that form around. She shaped as if in need of further when a beaten favourite at Windsor last time too and I think she is worth chancing each way at odds of 22/1 on her first crack at 6f.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: COME ON LEICESTER E/W @ 22/1 NB
Race 3
The third live race of the day at Newmarket on Friday is a tricky looking 10f handicap and a field of nine horses will go to post. Wissahickon is the current market leader after his win over the same trip at York last time out off 94 but he is 7lb higher here and that could make life a bit harder for the son of Tapit. Zaaki would have gone into a lot of notebooks after a fine effort at Royal Ascot last time and he rates as a danger to all off a pound higher here.
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| Harry Bentley has a good record when riding for Hugo Palmer. |
At a big price I think Dukhan could bounce back from a poor run at Ascot last time out over 12f now dropped back in trip. He was beaten a short head by Old Persian off a mark of 87 on the Rowley course (10f gd) here earlier this season and he followed that up with another decent effort over the same course and distance off 6lb higher next time. A slow start didn’t help his cause when beaten 6L at Newbury two runs back and on that run he has 2L to find with Chief Ironside, with whom he is 11lb better off at the weights. Harry Bentley has a decent record when riding for Hugo Palmer and at odds of 22/1 Dukhan is worth chancing each way.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: DUKHAN E/W @ 22/1
Race 4
The final live race of the day is the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes and on all known form Alpha Centauri is the filly they all have to beat. This daughter of Mastercraftsman has improved massively from 2 to 3 and she romped away by 6L in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, backing up her ultra impressive win in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
She finished 12L ahead of Clemmie at Ascot and 7L in front of her at the Curragh and she can confirm the form with that rival again today. It would be a huge shock if she was turned over at 4/7. With just 7 runners I won’t be having a bet though, and this is a race I will just watch and enjoy. No bet.
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