Inisherin could be the one to side with in the Gr 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes on the Newmarket July course in the UK on Saturday. (Picture: RacingTV).
The Gr 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes over six furlongs on the Newmarket July course is the highlight of Saturday’s racing in the UK.
Formguides for the seven race Newmarket meeting can be read below:
At The Races
1 2:40 PM SA Time – Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (GBB Race)
Some powerhouse stables are represented and this looks a very decent maiden. However, with five winners since 2017, Charlie Appleby has farmed this race and could again hold the key if SNOW LIGHT lives up to the billing as the choice of William Buick over her stable companion, Dancing Flower. The chief threat to the selection could be Darkwing, a daughter of Frankel, whose dam was a Group 2 winner the same yard/connections. New Vega and Fan Me also warrant betting checks.
Top Tip: Snow Light (10)
Watch out for: Darkwing (2)
2 3:12 PM – TrustATrader 20th Anniversary Fillies’ Handicap
MISS NIGHTFALL was the subject of one of the biggest betting plunges of Royal Ascot week when she was backed into favouritism for the Sandringham. Despite only managing to finish sixth in that race, she wasn’t beaten far and it was a most encouraging effort on the basis of it being just her second run in a handicap. Bountiful (11th) and Saariselka (18th) appear held on the face value of the Ascot form and with that in mind, the Kensington Palace Stakes winner, Miss Information, is forwarded as the danger to selection, although dropping in trip off 6lb higher asks more of her.
Top Tip: Miss Nightfall (5)
Watch out for: Miss Information (1)
3 3:50 PM – bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap)
MORE THUNDER, who is 3lb well-in here, has won two of his three starts since joining William Haggas and was unlucky not to have completed the hat-trick when he was narrowly defeated in a tight finish to the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last month. The son of Night Of Thunder stayed on readily that day and this additional furlong is well worth exploring given he ran over further when trained by Sir Michael Stoute. The Wokingham third, Ten Pounds, is closely matched and is a serious threat to the selection. Akkadian Thunder and Myal are also strong contenders.
Top Tip: More Thunder (4)
Watch out for: Ten Pounds (1)
4 4:25 PM – bet365 Mile Handicap
FIFTH COLUMN caught the eye when seventh in the Britannia at Royal Ascot as he did well to get so close from a low draw. The son of Kingman clearly remains on a workable mark and may be the safest pick in a very competitive event. Bedouin Prince has shown plenty of ability in three starts to date, but an opening rating of 100 demands plenty from him on his handicap bow. Others to note are Secret Theory and Raafedd.
Top Tip: Fifth Column (4)
Watch out for: Bedouin Prince (1)
5 5:00 PM – bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2)
ITALY created a big impression when winning on debut over 7f at Leopardstown in May and that form was boosted when the second filled the same position in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. With improvement highly likely, Aidan O’Brien’s colt gets the nod. That said, Saba Desert has a similar profile and Charlie Appleby has won five of the last nine renewals of this contest. The shortlist is completed by Wild Desert and Moonfall.
Top Tip: Italy (2)
Watch out for: Saba Desert (5)
6 5:35 PM – Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes (Group 1)
Symbol Of Honour won a Group 2 sprint at Haydock in May, but William Buick prefers supplemented stablemate Notable Speech, a dual Group 1 winner over a mile last year. The latter has the class to get involved on his first start over 6f, but another chance goes to INISHERIN. Not at his best behind Flora Of Bermuda (third) in the Group 1 Jubilee Stakes at Ascot, Kevin Ryan’s sprinter had beaten the latter at York before that, and is taken to bounce back in first-time cheekpieces. Whistlejacket and Big Mojo are not out of it either.
Top Tip: Inisherin (1)
Watch out for: Notable Speech (4)
7 6:10 PM – TrustATrader Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
Atlantic Sunset won over C&D last month, but he’ll need to step up on that form raised 4lb and upped in class. CLAYMORE makes more appeal, as he can be forgiven a poor effort on soft ground at Chester, having finished runner-up on the Rowley course here before that. That form reads well in this context and a strong challenge is expected from the son of New Bay. A winner at Epsom in April, Asgard’s Captain returns to this lower level with a shout.
Top Tip: Claymore (1)
Watch out for: Atlantic Sunset (7)
