Andrew Newton
Newmarket July Meeting is the main racing this midweek (Thurs to Sat) and live ON C4
09/07/2012
Newmarket July Meeting (Thurs 12th –Sat 14th) – Live C4/ATR
Okay, so the depressing weather looks like putting a slight dampener on this week’s Newmarket July Meeting, but that aside we’ve still got some top-notch flat racing to brighten things up –
Andy Newton takes you through the LIVE Channel 4 races from the first two days.....
Day One (Thursday 12th July)...
1.20: Bahrain Trophy (Group 3) (CLASS 1) (3yo) CH4 Good To Soft 1m5f - The LIVE C4 action starts with the Group Three Bahrain Trophy and with the in-form John Gosden team landing this contest 12 months ago I suspect they can follow up again. This time with SHANTARAM, who was an impressive winner here on the July course last time out over 1m4f, and should be seen in an even better light now upped in trip. Of the rest, the unbeaten Valiant, from the William Haggas yard, could be anything.
1.50: TNT July Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (CLASS 1) (2yo) CH4 Good To Soft 6f – Ahern was a fast-finishing fifth in the Norfolk Stakes and if he can break a bit better here then over this extra furlong he’s worth a second look. However, trainer Richard Hannon has won this race twice in the last 10 years and his SIR PRANCEALOT could be the call. He was last seen running fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the winner that day (Dawn Approach) could turn out to be a very decent animal. Yes, he’ll need to prove he can handle the softer ground, but it’s no secret the yard think a lot of this horse and with Richard Hughes already booked to ride he looks the one to beat.
2.25 - Goldsmiths Handicap (CLASS 2) (3yo 0-105) CH4 Good To Soft 1m2f: Mark Johnston is sure to be well represented here, and they won the contest back in 2007 as well. However, I’m not sure that their horses are in good form at present – just 4 wins from their last 84 runners (at the time of writing). The Paul Hanagan-ridden Hajras looks their main hope, but I’d have liked to have seen a few more stable winners first to be a backer. The key thing to note here is that we’ve only seen one winning favourite in the last 10 years, with 6 of the last 10 returning at a double-figure price in the betting. GREEK WAR (e/w) was a very eye-catching winner last time at this course, winning by 6 lengths, and despite being raised 14lbs for that victory looks sure to play a part for the Godolphin team - Mickael Barzalona continues in the saddle.
3.00 - Princess of Wales´s Goldsmiths Stakes (Group 2) (CLASS 1) (3yo+) CH4 Good To Soft 1m4f: Having run another solid race in the Hardwicke Stakes last time then the consistent Red Cadeaux is sure to be in the mix and looks a very solid each-way play in the race. The same might be said for Dandino, but he’s becoming a shade frustrating now and was turned over at 4/7 last time in a much-easier-looking race.
One horse that won’t mind any ease underfoot is HARRIS TWEED and although he’s got a bit to find with Red Cadeaux based on his Yorkshire Cup run I think this drop back to 1m4f and the softer ground can see him bridge the gap. The final thing to note here is that trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won the race 4 times in the last 7 runnings and he looks set to run Fiorente in a bid to uphold that excellent stable record.
Day Two (Friday 13th July 2012)
1.20 - Piper-Heidsieck E B F Fillies´ Handicap (CLASS 2) (3yo 0-100) Winner £12,450 CH4 Good To Soft 7f:
A tricky contest to get things started on the second day of the Newmarket July Meeting, but with 80% of the last 10 winners carrying 9-0 or less and hailing from stall 6 or higher than we can at least narrow the field down. Roger Varian’s Perfect Step is respected as she’s only had three career starts, the yard have also targeted this race in the past with success and looks to have plenty more to come. However, despite the Varian horse beating RIOT OF COLOUR (e/w) a few runs back I think the Ralph Beckett 3 year-old can turn the tables. She gets a handy 4lb pull for that ½ defeat, while with two decent runs after that clash (including a win at Salisbury last time out) I think she’s also improved since then met back in April.
1.50 - Betfred "The Bonus King" Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (CLASS 2) (3yo 0-105) Winner £62,250 CH4 Good To Soft 6f:
Trainer Mick Channon is just 1 from 35 with his 3 year-olds at the track and, therefore, with that in mind his Muaamara is overlooked. Mark Johnston is well represented here, but I’ve mentioned in recent blogs that I’m worried about the form of their horses at present and until this powerful yard start to fire in some winners I be happy to leave their horses alone. In contrast the Peter Chapple-Hyam horses are in fine fettle at the moment and Ryan Moore is a very interesting jockey booking for their CHUNKY DIAMOND (e/w). Yes, he’s run below par so far this term, but a return to 6f and the fact the yard are on much better form now are reasons to suggest he’s one for the shortlist. Of the rest, it could be significant that the Roger Charlton yard have won this race twice in recent years (2003 & 2004), and they run MINCE in a bid to uphold that record. A beaten jolly last time out, but that was in a Listed affair, so this drop in grade should see her in a better light, while the fact she’s been sent off favourite in all of her last five starts suggests that connections might quite like her!
2.25 - Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (CLASS 1) (2yo) Winner £34,026 CH4 Good To Soft 6f:
The first thing to say here is that the favourites generally do well in this race. All of the last 10 have been placed, with 9 coming 1st or 2nd and five winning. The Mahmood Al Zarooni team took the contest 12 months ago and they look to follow-up, this time with Lovely Pass, who was last seen running third in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. Back against her own sex and down in trip will make her very popular with punters and it will be a shock if she’s not involved in the finish. However, Frankie Dettori cold spoil that party for his main employers as he rides JADANNA (e/w) for the James Given stable. Last seen running fifth in the ultra-competitive Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, she should be suited by this step up to 6f after running on well over 5f in that race, while having won on her debut on soft ground then should conditions get any worse she won’t mind that either.
3.00 - Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Fillies & Mares) (CLASS 1) (3yo+) Winner £90,736 CH4 Good To Soft 1m:
This doesn’t look the best Falmouth ever run, but racegoers will look forward to seeing the exciting French mare GOLDEN LILAC. The winner of all-bar-one of her 7 career starts, including an impressive winner last time out at Longchamp, makes her the one to beat. Her only defeat came at Deauville two runs back, but she was very free in the early stages that day and a return to a mile should see her settle better. Those against her will cling onto the fact this is her first time racing outside France, but our friends from across the channel are no strangers to have a crack at this race – they won it just three years ago with the classy Goldikova. Interestingly Godolphin have never won this race, but they try to end the drought with Irish History this year, but the other one I like is Henry Cecil’s CHACHAMAIDEE (e/w). She was second to another of today’s runners, Joviality, at Royal Ascot last time, but she missed the break that day and providing she can get out on terms I think she can turn the tables – plus the stable won the race 12 months ago, while having not finished out of the top three in her last nine outings she rates a solid each-way alternative to the favourite
Remember you can watch all these events live on your computer or mobile on ITV4. Need a UK IP? Click Here
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