HARRY TOO GOOD TO TOIL
A TERRIFIC 10 have been declared for today’s July Cup (Newmarket 4.35) and Caravaggio at even-money has been a solid favourite since a devastating victory at Royal Ascot last time.
The unbeaten colt oozes class and punters expect Aidan O’Brien to train his fourth winner of Newmarket’s summer highlight.
Harry Angel did all the donkey work at Ascot and will surely be ridden with more restraint this time, so 6-1 looks much better value.
The Tin Man at the same price bounced back to his best in the Diamond Jubilee and should not be overlooked under Tom Queally.
Last year’s winner Limato (5-1) obviously boasts strong claims and he’s been popular all week, but is six furlongs his optimum trip nowadays?
The likes of Dubawi, Dr Devious and Olympic Glory have won the Group Two Superlative Stakes (4.00) and this afternoon’s renewal looks up to scratch.
Etefaaq, for our ambassador Richard Hannon, was a winner over 6f on soft ground in June so is likely to be suited by the extra distance. He’s been positive in the market, along with Tom Dascombe’s Finniston Farm at 7-1.
From 10am Stan James will be top price all runners in the Bunbury Cup (3.25), where Steady Pace has attracted support at 7-1 after a great effort in the Brett Williams looks at all the weekend racing action Wokingham last time. Tashweeq outran his 66-1 odds to fill third in the Royal Hunt Cup and we’ve seen sustained interest in John Gosden’s favourite at 11-2.
The biggest betting heat of the day takes place up at York, where the John Smith’s Cup takes centre stage at 3.05.
UAE Prince has always been highly regarded and the form of his Ascot fifth has worked out well – Desert Encounter was third in the Eclipse – so he has shortened into 11-1 from 14s.
Wolferton winner Snoano has good form at the track and is expected to reward each-way supporters at 14-1 under David Allen. Others that have been popular include Ballet Concerto (8-1) and Sixties Groove at 6s.
Rare Rhythm looks good value in the Silver Cup at 2.30 for Charlie Appleby, who boasts a 25 per cent strike rate at York this year.
Ascot also joins the party, where the Group Two Summer Mile is the feature at 3.50. Mutakayyef should take all the beating at 5-6 after a brilliant effort in the Queen Anne at the Royal meeting.
Speaking of near certainties, Enable is 2-5 to claim the Irish Oaks at the Curragh (5.55) and punters have doubled her up with Marsha in the Sapphire Stakes at 5.20.