JULY DELIGHTS AT NEWMARKET
One of the busier weeks of the year promises to be an absolute feast for punters, with high-profile fixtures at Newmarket, York and Ascot.
The July Meeting at Newmarket is always a delight, offering a relaxed social occasion enjoyed by many but also with racing of the highest order, all in beautiful surroundings if the weather behaves itself.
The three-day affair kicks off on Thursday, with the Princess of Wales's Stakes the main event.
This is a race farmed by Sir Michael Stoute and he has a strong contender once again in Arab Spring, described by the master of Freemason Lodge as "very progressive" and certainly looking it when landing some hefty bets at Royal Ascot.
Although that came in a handicap, there does seem a genuine enthusiasm for his big-race potential, perhaps even in the Arc.
Much attention for the final Classic of the season will surround the Bahrain Trophy, with Ladbrokes St Leger contenders due to be on show. They include John Gosden's current Doncaster favourite Romsdal, who was third in the Derby.
Gosden has won the last three runnings of the Newmarket event.
The July Stakes is for smart two-year-olds but it is a while since there has been a genuinely top-class winner.
Friday is a Group One day at HQ featuring the Falmouth Stakes over a mile for fillies and mares.
It is a jewel in the crown for the fairer sex, and it was that man Gosden who had the upper hand 12 month ago as Elusive Kate beat Sky Lantern in what turned out to be a most dramatic renewal, one that led to an appeal by connections of the runner-up after she was carried across the track in losing out by a neck.
Clive Brittain's Coronation Stakes heroine Rizeena is due to run, in what would be another attempt at ending what has proved something of a Newmarket hoodoo as she has yet to win in four visits to her local track.
The Stoute-trained Integral and Charlie Appleby's Certify will be among the opposition.
A super afternoon also sees the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, a race better known as the Cherry Hinton. This is one of the major races for fillies will top aspirations next year.
Ken Condon's Irish raider Newsletter is a leading player after her fine third at 33-1 in the Queen Mary Stakes.
Saturday at Newmarket is all about the Darley July Cup, generally seen as the number one sprint in the calendar.
The six-furlong showpiece has been won by the greats down the years, with sprinting luminaries such as Dayjur, Royal Academy, Habibti, Green Desert and Ajdal littering the roll of honour.
Favourite for the latest running is Slade Power, winner of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. His Eddie Lynam-trained stablemate Sole Power is also prominent in the betting after his King's Stand success.
York's two-day fixture starts on Friday and 24 hours later the crowds will flock to the Knavesmire for the John Smith's Cup - one of the biggest betting heats of the entire year.
Ascot is also in a double-header on Friday and Saturday, with the Summer Mile the headline act.
Top stuff in Longchamp, too, on Sunday where the Grand Prix de Paris very much seen as the new French Derby.
FIXTURES (Flat in capitals):
Monday: AYR, Newton Abbot, RIPON, WINDSOR.
Tuesday: BRIGHTON, PONTEFRACT, Uttoxeter, LINGFIELD.
Wednesday: CATTERICK, KEMPTON, LINGFIELD, Worcester, YARMOUTH.
Thursday: BATH, DONCASTER, EPSOM, NEWMARKET (CH4), NOTTINGHAM.
Friday: ASCOT, CHEPSTOW, CHESTER, NEWMARKET (CH4), YORK.
Saturday: ASCOT (CH4), CHESTER, HAMILTON, NEWMARKET (CH4), SALISBURY, YORK (CH4).
Sunday: Perth, Southwell, Stratford.
