It’s July Cup day at Newmarket. Here are race-by-race selections.
- 13.40: Haffner
- 14.15: True Test
- 14.52: Eklleem – He’s now a NON-RUNNER
- 15:25: Elarak
- 16:00 Abraham Lincoln (nap)
- 16:35: Almeraq
- 17:10: Sword
- 17:45: Cape Fear
13:40 British EBF Maiden Stakes
Haffner – Aidan O’Brien sends this son of Justify across to Newmarket for his second run. In his first, he finished a very promising second at the Curragh to Abraham Lincoln, who will be running in the Group 2 race on today’s card at 4pm. Among his opponents is the €900,000 Godolphin purchase, Al Wathba, who will be making his debut.
14:15 Fillies’ Handicap
True Test – She is the only course and distance winner in the contest and drops to seven furlongs for the first time this season, which should suit.
14:52 Weatherbys Handicap
Following his Royal Ascot win, Moonfall sets the standard here. Wechaad, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, finished seventh to her at Ascot, beaten 3.25 lengths and is now 7lbs better off at the weights. However, racing in a handicap for the first time, the William Haggas-trained Eklleem has the look of an improver and gets the nod.
15:25 The Bunbury Cup
Beaten just a neck in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, the lightly-raced Elarak is the selection. He has found his forte at today’s trip and has a lovely pedigree, being by Kingman out of a three-time Group 3 winner that possessed plenty of speed.
Great Acclaim finished a neck behind him that day at Ascot and they meet on the same terms today, while an obvious danger is Aalto, who won this race last year when rated 88 and is now rated 87.
Dark Tornado beat Aalto by 1.25 lengths over c/d last time out and is now five pounds worse off at the weights. Physique bolted up over c/d on June 19 and will carry a six-pound penalty for that win, although he is set to go up by nine pounds in the future official ratings. A good run from him, of course, would be no surprise.
16:00 Group Two Superlative Stakes
Abraham Lincoln – Trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, the son of Wootton Bassett must be highly regarded as he is being pitched into Group 2 company following his debut success at the Curragh.
16:35 The Group 1 July Cup
Almeraq – See July Cup preview.
17:10 Debenhams Handicap
A competitive seven-furlong handicap, in which Sword is taken to score. He will be having just his third run for trainer Stuart Williams and was beaten less than a length in the most recent of them over seven furlongs at Yarmouth when ridden by an apprentice.
Marco Ghiani takes over today. Pinatubo’s Legacy will be racing for the first time since a breathing operation, while Exposure, a dual winner in France, will be having his first run for trainers John and Thady Gosden. He’s a half-brother to four winners that include Group 3 winner Shutter Speed, who was trained by the Gosdens.
17:45 HKJC World Pool Handicap
Cape Fear relished the step up in trip last time and can keep on improving. From an in-form stable, Parisian Express can’t be ruled out, while Bintabuha has won off 75 and runs here off 74.
First Officer has won over course and distance from a one-pound higher mark than today so also warrants respect, but Cape Fear gets the nod.
Saturday’s Newmarket Selections for July Cup Day
- 13.40: Haffner
- 14.15: True Test
- 14.52: Eklleem – He’s now a NON-RUNNER
- 15:25: Elarak
- 16:00 Abraham Lincoln (nap)
- 16:35: Almeraq
- 17:10: Sword
- 17:45: Cape Fear
