The Falmouth Stakes headline day two of Newmarket’s July meeting. Here are some selections on the seven-race card.
- 13:50 Evanesco (E/W)
- 14:25 Libertango
- 15:00 Wine Dark Sea
- 15:35 Precise
13:50 1m2f Heritage Handicap
The eye is drawn to two horses who endured hard luck stories at Royal Ascot. Laureate Crown was on the wrong side in the Britannia but finished second in his group of 15 on the far side, while Princling wasn’t beaten far in the Golden Gates Stakes despite a wide trip and a late bump as he attempted to close.
With just six runners and very few confirmed front-runners, Evanesco may be able to dominate this from the front under David Egan in the Amo Racing silks. An all-the-way winner on the Rowley in May, he has two lengths to find with Princling from Ascot, but he may be able to set the terms of engagement in this smaller field.
Selection: Evanesco (E/W)
14:25 Group Two Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes
Here’s a smoother, more polished version:
Libertango is difficult to oppose after her impressive Albany Stakes success on just her second start. Despite a slow break and having to switch for a clear run, she finished powerfully to reel in Sun Goddess, who has since franked the form with a Group 2 victory at the Curragh. She looks every inch a future Group 1 performer.
Market rival Senorita Bonita ran an excellent race to finish second in the Queen Mary, and this hugely expensive purchase looks set to relish the step up to 6f. With a more patiently timed challenge likely this time, she rates as the chief danger.
Selection: Libertango
15:00 1m6f Heritage Handicap
Wine Dark Sea followed up his Ascot success by hacking up in a much lesser race at Carlisle and, despite carrying a 6lb penalty, remains 11lb well in at the weights. It will take a smart performance to beat him if he reproduces the level he showed 16 days ago. The biggest question mark surrounds his stamina, as he’s yet to race beyond 1m4f, but there’s plenty of encouragement in his pedigree.
His dam is a sister to a smart 1m5f-2m winner and a half-sister to several other strong stayers, suggesting the longer trip should be within his compass.
Selection: Wine Dark Sea
15:35 Group One Falmouth Stakes
Precise has done little wrong throughout her career, with back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes confirming her top-class credentials. Her Royal Ascot success was particularly impressive, as she overcame a slow start and a wide trip to prevail, and the three-year-old can add a fifth top-level success here.
This is her first test against older fillies and mares, with Blue Bolt looking a formidable opponent. The four-year-old, who must concede 9lb to her younger rivals, impressed when powering clear in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, travelling strongly before comfortably accounting for the reopposing Jancis. She looks capable of making her mark at Group 1 level in the near future.
However, three-year-olds have won six of the last nine renewals of this contest, and Precise gets the vote to continue her outstanding run of form.
Selection: Precise
- 13:50 Evanesco (E/W)
- 14:25 Libertango
- 15:00 Wine Dark Sea
- 15:35 Precise
