BUICK SET TO MAKE POINT
Boys in Blue can grab Cup
BLUE POINT (2.15) is 100-30 to give the Boys in Blue their second victory on the trot in the July Cup at Newmarket today.
And after an easy win at Royal Ascot last time, punters aren’t deserting William Buick’s mount who was 7-2 when Unibet opened betting.
US Navy Flag is not without his supporters, however, and we have trimmed his odds into 5-1 from 11-2 after a sizeable bet on Thursday.
Dropping back in trip could prove a shrewd move for the Ballydoyle raider but the fast ground could be an issue.
Eqtidaar, at 11-2, beat a big field in the Commonwealth Cup and is progressive so will not be far away under Jim Crowley who boasts a 23 per cent strike rate when teaming up with Sir Michael Stoute.
Dreamfield, who saved the bookies a fortune at Ascot last time, is back for another bite of the cherry and his odds have contracted into 9-1 from 12-1.
Unibet are paying ¼ odds each-way in the Bunbury Cup at 1.40 where Gilgamesh tops the market at 9-2.
But in an open contest we’ve seen money for Mukalal (7-1 from 11-1), Masham Star (20-1) and Firmament (12-1) who is ridden by Martin Harley.
In the Superlative Stakes at 1.05, Unibet ambassador Richard Hannon, who had several entries at the five-day stage, saddles recent course and distance winner Neverland Rock (11/2) who was very impressive last time and his trainer is quite bullish in his exclusive blog.
Up at York, the John Smith’s Cup takes centre stage at 3.40 on a mammoth day of betting opportunities and Dash Of Spice is bang in form after success at Royal Ascot – Unibet have kept him on side at 100-30.
But Appeared, who was behind David Elsworth’s runner last time, is expected to strip fitter and punters have latched on to Andrea Atzeni’s mount at 12-1.
Afaak steps up in trip after a staying on second in the Hunt Cup at Ascot and his odds have tumbled in to 8-1.
Of the outsiders, Mordin is the most popular at 16-1 under Graham Lee who has a 33 per cent win record when riding for Simon Crisford.