Golden Horde to keep Cup in the family
GOLDEN Horde can emulate his sire Lethal Force and win the Darley July Cup for trainer Clive Cox at Newmarket.
The three-year-old could end up being even better than his dad, judged on what he has achieved so far.
He was a talented juvenile winning the Group Two Richmond Stakes and being placed in two Group One races, the Prix Morny and the Middle Park.
He wasted no time in getting that first victory at the top level under his belt either, in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on his seasonal reappearance.
It was an emphatic performance that gave a stark warning to sprinters of all ages that he is a force to be reckoned with.
All his seven races to date have been over this six furlongs, and he looks a specialist at that trip.
Aidan O’Brien relies on Hudson River in the bet365 Superlative Stakes, and in a field full of unexposed juveniles he gets the nod.
Hudson River led throughout for a comfortable victory in a seven-furlong Curragh maiden on his debut last month.
The form has yet to be tested, but the professional manner of that performance suggests the speedily-bred son of Galileo may well be ready for this swift rise in class over the same trip.
Mutamaasik can be rewarded for a big run at Royal Ascot with victory in the bet365 Bunbury Cup.
Roger
Varian’s four-year-old was the first of his group in the centre of the course past the post, but had to settle for third place overall in the 23-runner Buckingham Palace Handicap.
He has been raised 2lb for that effort, which does not look at all harsh. Mutamaasik can prove the point and lift this competitive affair.
Finest Sound looks well worth another chance in the bet365 Mile Handicap.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s gelding was sent off favourite in the BritanniaHandicap at Royal Ascot where although no match for potentially classy winner Khaloosy, he comfortably beat the rest.
He was a commanding winner himself on his Haydock return last month - and despite a significant rise in the ratings since then, there could well be more to come.
Mohaather was one of the unluckiest horses at the Royal meeting, and can put the record straight on his return to Ascot for the Betfred Summer Mile.
Jim Crowley was biding his time in the pack in the Queen Anne Stakes, but simply could not get out in order to make his challenge.
The race was over and done with when the jockey was finally able to extricate his mount.
Mohaather was much better than his final position of seventh would suggest, and Marcus Tregoning’s lightly-raced fouryear-old is definitely worth another chance to show his potential.