News from the North(ern) Hemisphere

[Ohokaman]

Calandagan finally gets the win he deserved…..

 

[stodge]

8 hours ago, Ohokaman said:

Calandagan finally gets the win he deserved…..

 

Yes and will comment on that and the Irish Derby in the weekend review. He put AVENTURE in her place - my sole worry about CALANDAGAN in the Arc would be the ground.

[stodge]

On then to the weekend just gone and as it's hotter than the boiler room in Hades this morning in London Town (32c expected today and tomorrow), I suspect horse welfare, which is of a really high standard here in the UK, will be put to the test. 

Fortunately, today's afternoon venues are at Pontefract in Yorkshire and Ffos Las in West Wales, where it's a lot cooler and Windsor don't start their card until 6pm.

Anyway, back to the past rather than the future and Saturday saw the first of the series of Group 1 races in Ireland and Britian which will basically define the rest of the season - the inter generational clashes between the 3-y-o and the older horses. Yes, there are still Group 1 races for just the 3-y-o (the Leger being one such) but more and more we'll be seeing the clash of the generations (and we'll get the juveniles involved down the line).

The Pretty Polly over 2000m at The Curragh took place on ground described as Good (watered). The 3-y-o contender was WHIRL from the Aidan O'Brien yard who had won the Musidora at York and then ran a fine second to her stablemate MINNIE HAUK in the English Oaks at Epsom. She faced a formidable older opponent in KALPANA from the Andrew Balding yard who had won the Fillies and Mares at Ascot's Champions Day fixture last autumn abd had retuned with a decent third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup behind LOS ANGELES though the latter's poor run in the Prince of Wales at Ascot had knocked that form a little.

KALPANA went off 5/6 favourite with WHIRL at 13/8 and 20/1 bar the two including the French raider SURVIE and the intriguingly-named WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY from the Jospeh O'Brien yard.

A really good horse race. Ryan Moore made his intentions clear and rode WHIRL to the front after 200m but Colin Keane was never going to give him an easy lead and kept him honest on KALPANA.

I'm pretty sure KALPANA led briefly 250m down but Ryan got to work on his filly and WHIRL asserted in the final 200m to win a length and a quarter with both SURVIE and WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY running on from the rear without ever really threatening to get involved.

The key point to remember is tahnks to Admiral Rous and his weight for age scale, WHIRL was getting 12 lbs from KALPANA. 

I thought KALPANA ran well in defeat - there's some evidence she wants further but you could say the same about the winner - and on the terms of the race I think she put up a strong performance. She's 7s for the King George at Ascot at the end of July but could she go for the Yorkshire Oaks in mid August? 

WHIRL is, like so many of the Wootton Bassett/Galileo types, a real battler and she showed a lot of determination (as she had at Epsom) to rally once challenged and headed. Is she a 2000m type or a 2400m type? Probably both in truth and it's interesting her entries seem skewered more to the shorter trip so she's in the Nassau and the Irish Champion and she's 14s for the King George at Ascot. This is a conversation Aidan and the "lads" will no doubt have as to how to campaign both her and MINNIE HAUK who presumably heads for the Irish Oaks in the middle of next month.

SURVIE was seventh in both the Vermeille and the Arc last year and ran well in defeat behind AVENTURE in the Corrida on her seasonal re-appearance. She's clearly a 2400m type and she's being prepped for an autumn campaign and is one to keep an eye on.

WHIRL ran the 2000m in 2 minutes 4.95 seconds - 0.25 seconds below standard.

The Group 2 Airlie Stud saw BEAUTIFY confirm the promise of her debut with an all-the-way success and she's clearly decent though the favourite LADY IMAN ruined her chance by running with the choke out for the first half of the race.

Joseph O'Brien has a nice one in TRUSTYOURINSTINCTS, a 5-y-o gelding who has improved rapidly this summer and took out the 2000m Group 3 with the minimum of fuss which was decent given he's a stayer and he could well be an Irish Leger type - I just wonder if they'll enter him at Flemington.

Speaking of Flemington, ONESMOOTHOPERATOR, who was mid division in the Melbourne Cup last year, was only eighth in the Plate at Newcastle on Saturday and with the winner rated only 89, I suspect there are no clues from that race.

LAKE FOREST disappointed as favourite in the Group 3 over 1400m at York but it probably came soon enough after his Ascot run. Just a note - the City of York has been upgraded to Group 1 this year so will probably be the big focus of the 1400m older horses.

 

[stodge]

On then to yesterday and while it was a quiet day in Britain, there were Group 1 races in Ireland and France.

At The Curragh, it was Irish Derby Day and LAMBOURN was bidding to join the club of those who had achieved the English and Irish Derby double (about twenty strong as I recall). He was re-opposed by LAZY GRIFF and TENNESSEE STUD who had followed him home at Epsom.

At the off, LAMBOURN was 8/13 with TENNESSEE STUD at 6s and Dante winner, PRIDE OF ARRAS, who had flopped at Epsom, 8s.

As @Ohokamanhas already thoughtfully possted the race video, I won't bother.

LAMBOURN may not have the flamboyance or the killer acceleration of others who have achieved the English-Irish Derby double but he’s got an abundance of courage and stamina and that got him home here. He’s not a vintage winner but he gets the job done. That said, I don’t think he ran to the same level as Epsom and this looked workmanlike rather than exciting.

SERIOUS CONTENDER was close to the pace throughout and looked a real threat off the home turn and only gave way in the final 150m. He had run in a handicap off 92 at Ascot and was beaten by MERCHANT, one of those “Group horses masquerading as a handicapper” I referenced in my previous, in the King George V Handicap. SERIOUS CONTENDER was put up to 101 off that effort and he gave a horse rated 120 a race so the other question is how good is MERCHANT?

MERCHANT is 20s for the King George at the end of July at Ascot and looks yet another fascinating contender in what is shaping up to be a strong renewal.

LAZY GRIFF saved my each way cash with a strong late run to finish third having been well back early and that looked a very decent Leger trial.

TENNESEE STUD was fourth with the two horses in the same ownership, SIR DINADAN and GREEN IMPACT, fifth and sixth respectively. The real disappointment was PRIDE OF ARRAS who finished last.

LAMBOURN now, I think, has to prove it on the bigger stage against the older horses but he’s only 14s for the King George at Ascot, the same price as 109-rated King Edward VII winner AMILOC. I could see him running well in an Arc or a St Leger but the fact remains he probably didn’t run to 120 here and there are real questions over the quality of what he has achieved.

SERIOUS CONTENDER is in the Princess of Wales at Newmarket and the Goodwood Cup though I’m not sure he’s a stayer on this evidence.

LAZY GRIFF got a length or so closer to LAMBOURN than he had at Epsom but confirmed places with the Epsom third, TENNESSEE STUD who was for me a shade disappointing.

They went a strong gallop and the winning time of 2 minutes 29.18 seconds was 3.72 seconds below race median confirming decent ground and a relentless pace.

In Paris, at Saint Cloud racecourse, they staged the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud for the older horses over 2400m. This saw an intriguing clash between the very useful CALANDAGAN, the smart filly AVENTURE and GOLIATH, who won last year’s King George at Ascot.

CALANDAGAN went off 10/11 favourite.

A stunning performance by CALANDAGAN who, having been second on four consecutive occasions in championship races, got his reward and showed everyone he’s one of Europe’s best horses.

He won by three and a half lengths and in truth those of us who fancied AVENTURE can have no complaints – she was well beaten but not disgraced.

GOLIATH faded tamely to finish a long last.

CALANDAGAN is 4/1 for the King George and currently second favourite to JAN BRUEGHEL who beat him at Epsom in the Coronation Cup but Ascot is a very different track and we know CALANDAGAN enjoys it and quick ground so there’s a strong argument he could overturn the Epsom form.

It might have been quick enough for AVENTURE and to be fair she doesn’t bump into a CALANDAGAN every day. On proper Parisien autumn soft ground she looks a live contender for the Arc and she won’t meet CALANDAGAN because he’s a gelding and they aren’t allowed to run in the Arc.

One Aga Khan owned colt AVENTURE might well meet in the Arc, however, is DARYZ who was a ready winner of the Group 2 Eugene Adam over 2100m. He’s not in her league yet but he’s improving fast.

CALANDAGAN ran the 2400m in the Group 1 in 2 minutes 28.28 seconds – 0.82 seconds below race median confirming the recent trend of well-run races on decent ground.

[stodge]

Looking ahead, we have the Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday for which the ground is currently Good, Good to Firm in places (watering).

Eleven have been entered and current market leader is Prince of Wales winner OMBUDSMAN at 13/8. SOSIE has been entered - he won the Ganay and Ispahan this season and was last year's Grand Prix de Paris winner. He's a fascinating runner and adds a lot of interest to the race.

SOSIE is 9/2. 

Aidan O'Brien has entered three - EXPANDED as a pacemaker, the beaten English Derby favourite DELACROIX and the Jockey Club winner CAMILLE PISARRO who I imagine will be Ryan Moore's pick. 

I saw ALMAQAM beat OMBUDSMAN over the same course and distance in the Brigadier Gerard but can he confirm the places? RULING COURT moves up to 2000m having been a late scratching for the Derby and well held in the St James's Palace behind FIELD OF GOLD, who heads for the Sussex.

ANMAAT was second to OMBUDSMAN at Ascot but we know he's decent as is WHITE BIRCH from Ireland while the Ralph Beckett horses have hit form and STANHOPE GARDENS was a decent fifth in the Derby, well in front of DELACROIX.

This looks a mouthwatering renewal so plenty to consider later in the week.

At Haydock, the big race is the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks over 2400m for which just seven have been entered. This should be another of those intriguing clashes of the generations but the two 3-y-os look to have plenty on against ESTRANGE who won a Group 3 over this course and distaance last time.

Next Sunday's big race at Deauville is the Jean Prat over 1400m. More on all these races as we move down the week.

[stodge]

In a brief lull, a little bit of housekeeping on the action coming up here in the European summer.

In Britain, we have the Newmarket July Festival which runs from 10-12 July and then a nice break before the King George on July 26th at Ascot and the following week we have Glorious Goodwood from July 29th to August 2nd.

In Ireland, the Irish Oaks is on July 19th before the liver buster that is the Galway Festival from July 28th to August 3rd.

As for France, their big July race is the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on July 14th before the French racing scene decamps to the Normandy coast and Deauville for the August Festival starting on the 3rd.

Finally, a note we have the Deutsches Derby at Hamburg this coming Sunday, July 6th. TRINITY COLLEGE won't be running and the sole British and Irish challenger in the entries is CONVERGENT from the Karl Burke stable who hasn't run since coming third in the Chester Vase in May behind the subsequent English and Irish Derby winner LAMBOURN. If we can take that form literally, CONVERGENT must have a significant chance. 

I have to confess my knowledge of German form is almost non existent - the highest rated horse in the field is called SUGAR LOAF but why I don't know. 

[stodge]

The next big political battle for UK horse racing:

BHA issues urgent call to arms to 'axe the racing tax' over fears of £66 million hit to the sport's finances | Racing Post

[chiknsmack]

21 hours ago, stodge said:

I have to confess my knowledge of German form is almost non existent - the highest rated horse in the field is called SUGAR LOAF but why I don't know. 

The dam is Zamrud (Emerald). Sugarloaf is a type of gemstone cut. Though maybe I'm being led astray by the second-highest rater, named Juwelier.

[stodge]

1 hour ago, chiknsmack said:

The dam is Zamrud (Emerald). Sugarloaf is a type of gemstone cut. Though maybe I'm being led astray by the second-highest rater, named Juwelier.

SUGAR LOAF is a son of Almanzor while JEWELLER is a son of Wootton Bassett.

A filly called MATILDA won the German 2000 Guineas by six and a half lengths at odds of 25/1. She's by Soldier Hollow out of a Giant's Causeway mare and she has a half running in Class 4 handicaps in Hong Kong classed CLASSIC ARCHI.

MATILDA has been moved from her German stable to the Francois Graffard yard in France - she has an entry in the Matron at Leopardstown in September but her breeding suggests to me she could go 2000m. 

None of this much help for the German Derby I'm afraid but we'll have the Eclipse declarations out this morning.

[stodge]

The final declarations are through for Saturday's racing.

The Eclipse has just six runners but this is the often the case with this race. Short on quantity but long on quality - the lowest rated is 115 and all six are Group 1 winners.

Where to start?

Four 3-y-o take on two 4-y-o so let's start with the older horses who head the market. SOSIE is the French raider off 121 and as we know won the Grand Prix de Paris as a 3-y-o and ended up fourth in the Arc. This season he's won the Ganay and the Ispahan, the two French Group 1 races over 2000m and 1800m respectively. 

Concerns? First, the ground - he's never gone on anything faster than Good to Soft so the Good, Good to Firm in places he's likely to encounter at Sandown is going to be interesting, Second, how will he cope with an end-to-end gallop? In truth, there might not be one as there are no pacemakers and it could be a tactical race which would suit his French style of racing.

OMBUDSMAN is the highestj rated off 128 and the current Evens favourite and this comes off his impressive win in the Prince of Wales at Ascot where he beat MAP OF STARS, who was fourth, five and a half lengths back. SOSIE only beat MAP OF STARS a neck in the Ganay so on a tenuous line of form he holds SOSIE quite easily and he's rated 7 lbs higher - I'm less convinced and think they will be a lot closer. Nonetheless, IF OMBUDSMAN brings his Ascot form he's got to have a big chance.

It's worth remembering the 3-y-o get 10 lbs from the two older horses thanks to weight for age. CAMILLE PISSARRO comes here off a win in the Jockey Club and had been previously third to HENRI MATISSE in the Poulains. Now, HENRI MATISSE beat RULING COURT in the St James's Palace though both were behind FIELD Of GOLD (and he's the one piece of the puzzle missing). Whether you can argue that puts CAMILLE PISSARRO in front of RULING COURT I'm not sure.

RULING COURT won the English 2000 Guineas beating an arguably unfortunate FIELD OF GOLD after which he (RULING COURT) was trained for the Derby before being scratched the day before. He was then dropped back to a mile for the St James's Palace and ran third but it was clear that wasn't the original plan so perhaps the poor run can be excused and on what we saw at Newmarket the 2000m should be ideal.

DELACROIX did run in the English Derby for which he was the favourite after emphatic wins in the Ballysax (where he beat the future Derby winner, LAMBOURN) and the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. However, he got bumped around in the early scrimmaging and was never going to get involved. This should be more his cup of rosie lee but fast turf is a slight concern.

Finally, we have HOTAZHELL who did me a nice favour in the Racing Post Trophy last autumn and didn't run too badly on seasonal return when third in the Irish 2000 Guineas. I'm not wholly convinced the 2000m is what he wants.

So, who wins? It's an intriguing puzzle - I'm not convinced OMBUDSMAN would beat SOSIE and both have to deal with a group of 3-y-o who have a few questions to answer. William Buick presumably had the pick of the two Godolphin runners and has gone with OMBUSMAN over RULING COURT. Ryan Moore had the choice of the two Ballydoyle runners and has chosen DELACROIX over CAMILLE PISSARRO.

I'm not playing financially but put $20 from @scooby3051 in my hand and I'd play on DELACROIX at 6s.

We have no real idea where the 3-y-o and 4-y-o stand relative to each other as there have been no serious inter generational races until now at this level so it may be the younger horses will be better than we think and with the weight concession they must have a chance.

At Haydock, the ground has improved to Good, Good to Firm in places but the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks has disappointingly cut up to just four runners. The two 3-y-o look completely outmatched and SCENIC has 10 lbs to find on the numbers with ESTRANGE who is naturally 1/4 to follow up her impressive win in a Group 3 over course and distance. SCENIC won a Group 3 over 2800m at York last time but it's hard to see her coping with the favourite.

18 go in Sunday's Deutsches Derby at Hamburg and I've now realised using the translate option to read the German race card wasn't a smart move. SUGAR LOAF is actually ZUCKERHUT and with the correct name won the Group 2 Union Rennen at Cologne (the German equivalent of the Dante). JUWEILER beat PATH OF SOLDIER in a Group 3 last time and had claims as does the sole filly, the unbeaten LADY CHARLOTTE. CONVERGENT is the sole British runner and on his Chester form is right in this.

[stodge]

The Sandown ground is now Good to Firm (watered) following another dry and warm day in London Town.

Sunday's declarations are now through - at Deauville, the ground is officially Good to Soft. The Group 1 Prix Jean Prat had drawn a field of nine. THE LION IN WINTER is a surprising runner for Aidan O'Brien. He went into winter quarters strongly fancied for the Derby after an impressive win in the Acomb at York but he failed in both the Dante and the Derby itself where he was nearly 30 lengths behind LAMBOURN.

I know Aidan has always liked this colt but this will be a real work of genius if he can get the horse back to his level over a trip 1000m shorter than his last run.

SHADOW OF LIGHT was third in the English 2000 Guineas and went off favourite for the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot but whereas it looked as though 1600m was too far at Newmarket, it looked as though 1200m was too short at Ascot and perhaps with the quick ground against him too, I can see why Godolphin and Charlie Appleby see this race as ideal for this talented colt and he's the likely winner.

COSMIC YEAR from the Harry Charlton yard ran second to FIELD OF GOLD in the Irish 2000 Guineas and were HOTASHELL to run well in the Eclipse, I could see COSMIC YEAR attracting market support. 

Francois Graffard runs WOODSHAUNA who beat subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner TIME FOR SANDALS in a Group 3 on soft ground last time - it's an interesting line of form but I'm not convinced. Fourth in that Chantilly race was MANAMOA CHARLIE who beat SILIUS in a Longchamp Group 3 next time.

As you know, I prefer Group 1 form in a Group 1 race so it's SHADOW OF LIGHT for me.

Next Thursday sees the opening of the Newmarket July Festival - the ground on the July Course is currently Good to Firm and little rain is currently forecast. 

Two Group 2 races highlight the opening day - the July Stakes for the juveniles over 1200m sees Royal Ascot form given a run out. WISE APPROACH was second in the Norfolk but DO OR DO NOT was second in the Coventry but the fact is both are behind the two market leaders who both swerved Ascot. Charlie Appleby, in addition to WISE APPROACH, has entered the unbeaten MAXIMIZED who beat the subsequent Windsor Castle winner in the Woodcote at Epsom while Aidan O'Brien has entered BRUSSELS who won on debut at The Curragh.

The Princess of Wales Stakes over 2400m has just six entries. GHOSTWRITER and PALLADIUM were third and fourth in the Hardwicke at Ascot but were split by a length and a quarter. ARABIAN CRHOWN represents Godolphin and Charlie Appleby and in the spring of 2024, after winning the Classic Trial at Sandown, was thought of as a serious Derby contender but it's not gone well since and he lost his crown jewels after a poor run in the Gordon Richards last time.

The sole 3-y-o is WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE who was fourth in the King Edward VII at Ascot having run third in the Dante.

 

[stodge]

After a profitable Saturday (and I hope those who read my drivel were able to put a few beans on DELACROIX), I'll post up the review tomorrow.

For now, time to look forward to next Friday and we have the five day entries for the second day of the Newmarket July Festival. The feature Group 1 is the Falmouth for the fillies and mares over the mile and 12 have been entered.

Eight 3-y-o take on three 4-y-o and a solitary 5-y-o but the older horses are at the head of the market currently. CINDERELLA'S DREAM for Godolphin is 11/4 favourite with CRIMSON ADVOCATE at 7/2 and they were first and second in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge at Ascot three weeks ago. There didn't look to be any fluke about the win but whereas that was on the round mile, the Falmouth is run up the straight mile and that might give CINDERELLA'S DREAM a chance of reversing places and she should given she's 9 lbs ahead of CRIMSON ADVOCATE on the ratings.

RUNNING LION made the pace that day but faded to fourth and I'm to be convinced she can mix it with the first two. CINDERELLA'S DREAM also comfortably holds ELMALKA on form from earlier in the season.

Aidan O'Brien has entered three, all of them 3-y-o fillies. JANUARY was third with EXACTLY sixth in the Coronation while BEDTIME STORY was runner up in the Diane at Chantilly. To add some international spice, we have the German 1000 Guineas winner LADY ILZE among the entries.

The supporting Group 2 is the Duchess of Cambridge for the juvenile fillies over 1200m. The Albany winner VENETIAN SUN faces the Queen Mary runner up FLOWERHEAD but we'll see what the final declarations look like later in the week.

The ground at Newmarket remains Good to Firm (watered).

[stodge]

A crowd of 10,600 (about 6% up on 2024) came to Esher on Saturday afternoon for the Eclipse at Sandown Park Racecourse. The race was celebrating its 50th year under the sponsorship of Coral Bookmakers who continue to operate separately in the UK even though they are part of the Entain Group with Ladbrokes.

As an aside, Sandown Park is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. The course has an interesting history but it has always attracted the well-to-do from London with an excellent train service from Waterloo.

From train tracks to race tracks (see how he does it) and the weather was much cloudier than recent days, muggy with rain in the air though only 1.5mm had fallen overnight. Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper called the ground Good to Firm, Firm in places with a pentrometer of 7.0 - Sandown is built on clay which holds the moisture in winter but with no rain it can dry out very quickly.

Just six went to post for the Eclipse over 2000m which carried a first prize of £567,100. Short on quantity, the field may have been but it was very deep on quality with five of the six being Group 1 winners (the only one who wasn't was DELACROIX). English 2000 Guineas winner RULING COURT and the Jockey Club winner CAMILLE PISSARRO led the 3-y-o along with beaten Derby favourite DELACROIX and the Racing Post winner HOTAZHELL who had run just once in his 3-y-o campaign when third in the Irish 2000 Guineas.

The two older horses were both quality - SOSIE had run fourth in the Arc as a 3-y-o but had returned as a 4-y-o winning both the Ganay and the Ispahan. This was his first experience outside France and his first on such quick ground while OMBUDSMAN had come from an impressive win in the Prince of Wales at Ascot albeit just 17 days previously.

Before the race, OMBUDSMAN looked to be getting quite warm and the markets responded by easing him out to 6/4 with money coming for DELACROIX into 3s and RULING COURT into 4s.

Speaking after the race, the always stoical John Gosden, joint trainer of the runner up OMBUDSMAN with his son, Thady, remarked that everything you thought would happen in the race didn't and indeed the exact opposite happened.

Many expected Ryan Moore to be prominent on DELACROIX and for SOSIE to be waited with but that's not how it happened and you could have got some pretty fancy odds on the Aidan O'Brien runners being the last two into the straight. Probably more predictable would have been the argument that even in a small field there'd be trouble in running for those trying to come from off the pace.

This was an unusual race in the modern era in there not being a clear pacemaker (or two). Neither Coolmore nor Godolphin entered a pacemaker which I found curious. Whether Moore was intending to go from the start I don't know but in the end SOSIE and HOTAZHELL cut out the running and with Oisin Murphy struggling to hold RULING COURT, Moore lost the catbird position leaving the two Godolphin horses in midfield and the two Ballydoyle horses at the rear.

 I'm not sure Maxime Guyon wanted to be at the front on SOSIE - it's not how the horse normally runs in France and he didn't get an uncontested lead which might have been better. The horse was clearly not in his comfort xone and when push came to shove faded tamely to finish last. You couldn't blame the ground on this occasion and perhaps the Juddmonte remains an option with a strong gallop certain.

Given it was only his second run of the season, HOTAZHELL was still a bit fizzy up the front. I'm also not wholly convinced on this ground he sees out the 2000m but he ran with credit to be beaten about four lengths in fifth.

CAMILLE PISSARRO was another for whom I thought the ground was an issue. He looked to have every chance 300m down before hanging left and weakening (and in doing so, did his stable companion DELACROIX no favours) losing third on the post to RULING COURT. It transpired he had also lost the left-fore shoe in the race which might be a valid excuse on the ground. I look forward to seeing him on some slower turf later in the season as he clearly has a lot of ability.

RULING COURT was having his first run beyond a mile and you could certainly argue he saw the trip out. He was a little fizzy from the gate as well (only 18 days for him since his St James's Palace run) and didn't help Oisin Murphy and in the straight couldn't get a clear run as the front runners were stopping in front of him. He ran home strongly to snatch third on the post, beaten two lengths by the winner. Post race, connections were keen for a rematch with the winner in the Juddmonte and pointed out they had beaten FIELD OF GOLD in the English 2000 Guineas. I knew RULING COURT would be fine on the track and the ground but the trip was a concern - given a clear run he'd have been closer but how much closer?

William Buick probably had the best run round on OMBUDSMAN - he got reasonable track position by the home turn and came into the race travelling strongly much as he had at Ascot. He was also a shade keen early - did that cost him the race? Debatable at best - he hung right under pressure and for me this was about as fast ground as he could manage. Nonetheless, in a messy and confusing race, another fine effort from this 4-y-o and he too will head for York though whether John Gosden, who trains FIELD OF GOLD for Juddmonte, believes deep down OMBUDSMAN can beat the 3-y-o I'm not sure.

"In Ryan We Trust" could be the motto of punters like me who took 9/2 about DELACROIX in the morning. To be fair, everything that could have gone wrong went wrong and I'm sure Moore didn't want to be last turning for home. Both Moore and Murphy got repeatedly checked as the front runners weakened and CAMILLE PISSARRO started to hang (for reasons explained above). He's not one of the world's best jockeys for nothing but you need the horse to get you out of a jam, pickle or other condiment. DELACROIX got going at the 200m and still had three lengths with OMBUDSMAN but he ran down the favourite to win a neck.

The irony then is the one horse in the field who hadn't won a Group 1 beat all those who had but when Moore chose DELACROIX over CAMILLE PISSARRO, well, that was a clue. I'm not sure how much that race will have taken out of DELACROIX. Moore, in the post race, actually thought DELACROIX didn't stay the 2400m at Epsom rather than it being down to the unique configuration of the Downs but there you go.

The circus rolls on to the Juddmonte next month with perhaps all of these facing FIELD OF GOLD and the Japanese champion DANON DECILE. If they all turn up (and that's a big if), it will be the race of the season.

The time of the Eclipse was 2 minutes 5.92 seconds (1.08 seconds below standard). The sectionals tell us it was a crawl and a sprint up the hill. SOSIE and HOTAZHELL kicked from 800m down but that didn't last and the others closed quickly but only DELACROIX and RULING COURT were finishing well.

Much less to say about the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock where rain had eased the ground to Good, Good to Soft in places. Just four went to post with ESTRANGE sent off 2/7 and SCENIC 3/1 and as expected it turned into an intriguing dual between the two. SCENIC, now in the Wathnan ownership, was given a fine tactical ride by James Doyle, but just didn't have the speed at 2400m (probably needs further) and ESTRANGE went on to win a neck. Talk of the Arc seems premature on this evidence but the Yorkshire Oaks might tell us more. SCENIC heads for the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood.

[stodge]

We have the entries through for this coming weekend which features Group 1 action in Britain and France.

Saturday sees the climax of the Newmarket July Festival with the Group 1 July Cup over 1200m. 16 have been entered and the 7/2 favourite is NOTABLE SPEECH who has been brought back to sprinting after running fourth in both the Lockinge and the Queen Anne. He was of course the 2000 Guineas winner in 2024 and has competed at a mile but this is an intriguing step by Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Appleby also has SYMBOL OF HONOUR who swerved Ascot after winning the Sandy Lane at Haydock. Godolphin's third runner is SPY CHIEF who was runner up in the Jersey at Ascot.

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee form from the Royal meeting is represented by third placed FLORA OF BERMUDA, fifth placed IBERIAN and seventh placed INISHERIN who was for me disappointing after his win in the Duke of York.

The 3-y-o, apart from SYMBOL OF HONOUR, include WHISTLEJACKET and BIG MOJO who were fifth and seventh in the Commonwealth Cup while the mare BELIEVING is on a recovery mission following a midfield finish in the King Charles III. She is in foal and this might be her last racecourse visit.

The supporting Group 2 is the Superlative over 1400m for the juveniles. This is a race which is in fashion at the moment - Aidan O'Brien likes it and he has entered both DORSET and ITALY while Charlie Appleby has both SABA DESERT and WILD DESERT.

At Ascot, the big race is the Group 2 Summer Mile for which 11 have been entered including Royal meeting winners HAATEM (the Listed Wolferton Stakes) and NEVER SO BRAVE (a 1400m handicap). QUDDWAH has solid course form but was probably flying too high when last in the Queen Anne.

Sunday sees a strong card at Longchamp featuring two Group 2 races and the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris over 2400m which is the leading 3-y-o middle distance race in France these days.

More on all of this as we move down the week.

[stodge]

We have the final declarations for Thursday's opening day of the Newmarket July Festival.

The ground at Newmarket has eased to Good, Good to Firm in places (watered) but no rain is forecast. The two Group 2 races on the opening afternoon have small fields.

Just five go to post for the Princess of Wales's Stakes over 2400m. Clear top rated is GHOSTWRITER who danced a lot of the big dances as a 3-y-o finishing fourth in the English 2000 Guineas, fourth in the Jockey Club, third in the Eclipse, third in the Juddmonte and fifth in the Irish Champion. 

He was fourth again in the Dubai Turf but only sixth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on his European re-appearance. From there, he was stepped up to 2400m and down to Group 2 and ran a fine third in the Hardwicke at Ascot. That form would be good enough to win this.

PALLADIUM won last year's German Derby and was sent hurdling with Nicky Henderson with mixed results. Sent on to John & Thady Gosden, he was fourth in the Hardwicke, barely a length behind GHOSTWRITER and you could argue he might reverse places on this occasion but I think this place will play more to GHOSTWRITER's tactical speed.

WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE is the sole 3-y-o and gets 12 lbs from the older colts and geldings. He was fifth in the 2000 Guineas and third in the Dante but was only fourth when tried in first time cheekpieces in the King Edward VII at Ascot. As we saw in the Eclipse, the 3-y-o are certainly competing with the older horses and the weight concession combined with the likely tactical nature of this race makes me think WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE could upset the favourite, GHOSTWRITER.

It's not often Godolphin has the two outsiders ina  five runner race and it's interesting William Buick has chosen EL CORDOBES over ARABIAN CROWN but both have a little to find on the figures.

I've had a small bet on WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE at 9/2.

The July Stakes for the juvenile colts over 1200m has six runners. Royal Ascot juvenile form is represented by DO OR DO NOT, runner up in the Coventry and COMICAL POINT, a running on fifth in the Norfolk who should appreciate the extra 200m. Neither is favourite with the market dominated by unbeaten types from Godolphin and Coolmore, The latter have BRUSSELS who won a Curragh maiden on debut while MAXIMIZED won the Woodcote at Epsom beating the subsequent Windsor Castle winner, HAVANA HURRICANE.

I suspect DO OR DO NOT is being overlooked because he was 80/1 at Ascot but Ed Walker is a good trainer and I think the better form wins the races and I've taken 9/2 on DO OR DO NOT.

[stodge]

Just to mop up last weekend, there was a strong card at Deauville last Sunday which took place on Soft ground. The feature was the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat over 1400m. Harry Charlton's COSMIC YEAR led a strong British challenge having run second in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He faced Godolphin's SHADOW OF LIGHT who was third in the English 2000 Guineas and fifth in the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot while the return of THE LION IN WINTER after disappointing runs in the Dante and the English Derby, added plenty of interest.

The first four were split by half a length but the form of the race where WOODSHAUNA beat subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner TIME FOR SANDALS was strongly franked as WOODSHAUNA, again relishing the soft turf, came from last to first to win the race.

MARANOA CHARLIE, who was fourth in that race, got a lot closer to WOODSHAUNA but was just headed on the jamstick.

A much better run from THE LION IN WINTER and perhaps it's all about the ground or may be dropping back to something shorter has worked the oracle - either way, an excellent training performance by Aidan O'Brien and THE LION IN WINTER could be an interesting runner in a race like the Foret.

SHADOW OF LIGHT looked the winner 150m out but didn't quite get home on the ground - it was probably too quick at Ascot over the shorter trip and if the rain came, Haydock in September might still be an option.

Of the others, COSMIC YEAR looked to travel into the race well but found very little for pressure and faded tamely. 

The winner ran 1 minute 24.46 seconds for the 1400m (2.26 seconds above standard suggesting the ground was definitely on the slow side).

Meanwhile, at Hamburg, we had the Deutsches Derby over 2400m. I can't find an English language commentary but my bet on CONVERGENT went down by a short head (you probably heard the howl of anguish in NZ for which I apologise) to HOCHKONIG, who had finished second in the Union Rennen at Cologne. This was the first Derby winner ridden by a professional female jockey in the form of NIna Baltromei for trainer Yasmin Alterader (yes, I know). The favourite ZUCKERHUT was beaten three lengths in sixth.

 

[stodge]

Friday's final declarations are available. 

The ground at Newmarket has tightened to Good to Firm, Good in places.

The feature on Friday is the Falmouth for the fillies and mares over the mile. Eight go to post with four from the classic generation taking on four from the older fillies and mares.

Among the younger horses, the clear bookies pick is the Aidan O'Brien trained JANUARY who was only eighth in the Irish 1000 Guineas on her seasonal re-appearance but ran a blinder when third in the Coronation at Ascot. However, I think ELWATEEN deserves a lot of consideration - she was fourth in the English 1000 Guineas on her seasonal re-appearance (and only her second lifetime run) and then found the ground and the trip too much at Epsom when midfield in the Oaks. Back to this trip and on better ground she looks huge at 14s.

ATSILA from the Donnacha O'Brien yard won her first two and on her second run beat CERCENE who, as we know, went on to spring a 33/1 shock in the Coronation at Ascot. Take that form literally and also the fact she finished one place in front of JANUARY in the Irish 1000 Guineas and she could be right in this. LADY ILZE won the German 1000 Guineas but I question the strength of that form in this field.

The older horses are headed by CRIMSON ADVOCATE and CINDERELLA'S DREAM who were first and second in the Duke of Cambridge at Ascot (that's a Group 2). They hold RUNNING LION (fourth that day) and in truth there's very little between them.

The final older filly is the 2024 1000 Guineas winner ELMALKA who was well beaten by CINDERELLA'S DREAM in the Dahlia and whose run against SOSIE in the Ganay has been slightly devalued by the latter's poor effort in the Eclipse last Saturday, albeit a stronger race than this.

Given the classic generation are getting 9 lbs from the older horses, it's hard not to think this could be another one for the youngsters after the Pretty Polly and the Eclipse. JANUARY is for me the likely winner but as long as it's the "dead eight" which means they play three each way places, I think ELWATEEN at 14s is the bet.

The supporting Group 2 is the Duchess of Cambridge for the juvenile fillies over 1200m. This race used to be called the Cherry Hinton back in the day. Cherry Hinton, as we know, is a village south east of Cambridge whose origins go back to the Domesday Book.

The field for this year's renewal has cut up to just six and Albany winner VENETIAN SUN is 1/2 to maintain her unbeaten record. ARGENTINE TANGO won a Listed over the course and distance last time but looks thoroughly exposed and if you want an alternative, SHINE ON ME was sixth in the Queen Mary but was running on well and the extra 200m should suit. 

[stodge]

Saturday's final declarations are through.

At Newmarket, the ground was upgraded further to Good to Firm this morning.

15 have been declred for the Group 1 July Cup over 1200m. Five 3-y-os take on ten older horses.

The latter dominate and 5/2 favourite currently is NOTABLE SPEECH who won last year's 2000 Guineas and Sussex. THis season, however, he's been held in both the Lockinge and the Queen Anne and it seems connections think he is more about speed and doesn't perhaps truly see out the mile in top company. IF they are right, he comes into this with strong claims.

FLORA OF BERMUDA has improved this season and was second to INISHERIN in the Duke of York and third to LAZZAT in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee. Could she improve further to take this? She'll have to.

INISHERIN was three lengths behind FLORA OF BERMUDA at Ascot and was 11/8 when fifth in this last year as a 3-y-o. They've put cheekpieces on after what was considered a lacklustre run at Ascot and they could work the oracle on a horse who has tended to inconsistency.

BELIEVING is in foal and I think this will be her final race. She was mid division in the KIng Charles III and it may be 1200m is what she needs now. It would be a wonderful send off if she were to land this and I'm reminded she won the Al Quoz Sprint over 1200m on quick ground in Meydan in the spring.

Among the 3-y-o, the strongest in the betting is WHISTLEJACKET from Aidan O'Brien. He was well beaten by BABOUCHE in the Lacken at Naas and was only sixth in the Commonwealth Cup. I'm more interested in Godolphin's SYMBOL OF HONOUR who missed Ascot after winning the Sandy Lane at Haydock. He's improving but for me he needs to find another 7 lbs to win this.

The others have something to find on the ratings - there are plenty of ifs and buts about all the fancied ones and there's currently no dominant sprinter in Britain. 

There isn't a lot of strong Group 1 to work with either - FLORA OF BERMUDA is probably the percentage call but if anyone can get NOTABLE SPEECH back, it will be Charlie Appleby and IF he can improve for the shorter trip, he should win.

The Group 2 Superlative over 1400m for the juveniles is the supporting race and just seven go to post. It's a race Aidan O'Brien has used for some of his top colts in the past and this year he relies on ITALY who was 4/9 when scoring on debut in a Leopardstown maiden. That told us very little and this will be more informative but at 4/6 I'll leave it to others with deeper pockets. 

I always like Sandown maiden winners and SABA DESERT won over 1400m on his debut. William Buick has chosen him over WILD DESERT and at 9/2 he might be a decent bet to take on the Ballydoyle hotpot.

At Ascot, eight go in the Group 2 Summer Mile over the round course. HAATEM mixed it with the very best as a 3-y-o running third in the English 2000 Guineas (behind NOTABLE SPEECH) and runner up in the Irish 2000 Guineas to ROSALLION. This season, he was a little disappointing before being moved up to 2000m to win the Wolferton at the Royal meeting. I'm not sure dropping back 400m and on to the round course is ideal.

QUDDWAH won this last year but was last in the Queen Anne last time and I just think he wants softer ground.

I wrote in my Royal Ascot wrap up about how the handicaps at the Royal meeting were dominated by lightly-raced or unexposed types who were basically Group horses masquerading as handicappers. We have two of them in this - NEVER SO BRAVE won the 1400m Buckingham Palace Handicap comfortably while MY CLOUD won the Hunt Cup. Bothe were well backed - indeed, both were favourite - but both races were on the straight course. Of the two, I like NEVER SO BRAVE on the round course but expect both to be involved in the finish.

The biggest crowd (probably approaching 25,000) will be at York for John Smith's Day and the big 2000m handicap, which used to be called the Magnet Cup when I was a wee Stodge looks as tricky as usual.

Final declarations tomorrow but eight have been entered for Sunday's Grand Prix de Paris over 2400m at Longchamp where the ground is currently Soft but with Northern France enjoying the fine, hot summer spell we are currently experiencing here in southern Britain, it could be nearer Good to Soft by Sunday evening. 

This is the traditional Bastille Day card, albeit a day early. TRINITY COLLEGE was a close fourth in the Jockey Club before a decisive win in the Hampton Court at Ascot and I think the quick ground in Berkshire was a help. PUPPET MASTER won the Lingfield Derby Trial but was well behind in the Irish Derby and GALVESTON's third in the King Edward VII reads as decent form.

The best of the locals looks to be NEW GROUND who came over to Epsom and ran a fine fourth in the Derby. That was a good effort and if the ground dries further I think he will give TRINITY COLLEGE a real race.

More on this and the supporting races tomorrow.   

[stodge]

Final declarations are through for Sunday evening's Bastille card at Longchamp and if Paris is under the same sweltering summer sunshine as London, the ground will be drying up quickly.

Six go in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris over 2400m and with Aidan O'Brien taking out PUPPET MASTER and GALVESTON, it's left to TRINITY COLLEGE to fly the flag for Ballydoyle and Coolmore and I expect Ryan Moore to try to make every yard and make it a decent test of stamina. Presumably after the strong run at Ascot, they'll not be too worried about seeing out the trip and Moore will be hoping to expose the chinks in NEW GROUND's armour but the latter was running home well at Epsom and I think he'll finish off well and win.

FRANKLY GOOD CEN was seventh in the Jockey Club and could go well over this extra trip.

The two supporting Group 2 races are the Malleret and the Maurice de NIeuil. The Malleret is essentially the Grand Prix but for the fillies. Six go to post and the British raider is QILIN QUEEN from the Ed Walker yard who was eighth in the English Oaks. Juddmonte have SUNLY who is unbeaten in three including a Group 3 at Chantilly last time - she's clearly improving fast and if so will take a lot of beating. She has a Yorkshire Oaks entry and would be a fascinating contender if coming to the Knavesmire next month.

SUNLY beat INDALIMOS and RABBIT'S FOOT at Chantilly and there's no obvious reason why they should reverse places.

The Maurice de Nieuil over 2800m is for the older horses. YASHIN is the sole British raider but after winning the Sagaro at Ascot was beaten miles in the Gold Cup almost being pulled up. The two I like here are DOUBLE MAJOR and INTERNAUTE. DOUBLE MAJOR won this last year but has twice finished behind CANDELARI, most recently in the Vicomtesse Vigier and may be more of an autumn type. INTERNAUTE was only just behind DOUBLE MAJOR in the Vicomtesse Vigier and this time last year was mixing it with the likes of SOSIE in the Grand Prix de Paris and I think he is still improving.

[stodge]

A fine and hot afternoon drew a large crowd to the July Course for Ladies’ Day, the opening day of the three-day July Festival.

The morning sunshine had further dried the ground which was upgraded to Good to Firm.

Two Group 2 races for the opening day started with the July Stakes for the juvenile colts over 1200m. The market was dominated by unbeaten horses from the two main powerhouses of British racing – Godolphin and Coolmore. The former had MAXIMIZED who had won his two races and was backed in to 6/4 while the Aidan O’Brien trained BRUSSELS, who had won his only race, was 9/4.

Royal Ascot form was represented by the Norfolk fifth COMICAL POINT and the Coventry runner up DO OR DO NOT.

However, there was a turn up here as rank outsider ZAVATERI from the Eve Johnson Houghton yard proved too good winning by a length from DO OR DO NOT who was able to reward each way support at 9s. JEL PEPPER was third with BRUSSELS fourth and both MAXIMIZED and COMICAL POINT well held.

ZAVATERI had come out of a Salisbury maiden a month ago and this was a big step forward. He’s a son of Without Parole who is having his second crop as a stallion and stands at Newsells Park Stud for £8,000. To be honest, his first crop was average – his highest rated is a filly called FIERY LUCY who races for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland. The dam is an unraced daughter of Siyouni but from one of the Aga Khan’s more successful lines. You’d think ZAVATERI would get a mile in time and clearly loves quick ground.

DO OR DO NOT ran home strongly but the Newmarket July track is sharper than Ascot and I wonder if a step up to 1400m might be in the offing for a race like the Vintage at Goodwood.

COMICAL POINT pulled far too hard but William Buick had no real excuse for MAXIMIZED but I did wonder if he was feeling the ground.

There was plenty of drama before the Princess of Wales Stakes over 2400m. In the pre-parade, as he was about to be saddled by trainer Clive Cox, GHOSTWRITER reared up and fell backwards. He was lame after the incident and on veterinary advice was withdrawn. PALLADIUM was sent off 13/8 favourite in the reformed market with WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE backed in to 5/2.

PALLADIUM was fractious in the stalls but jumped and led. Ryan Moore tried to set an even gallop but when he quickened the tempo 600m out, PALLADIUM gave way tamely and both WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE and ARABIAN CROWN went on. Meanwhile, William Buick was sitting pretty on EL CORDOBES and came through on the outside and in the end won by a cosy two lengths.

This was Buick’s 2000^th UK winner and wholly appropriate it should be for Charlie Appleby. It’s interesting to note EL CORDOBES has won his two races this year at Newmarket and he may just be one of those who prefers to be close to home.

WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE was getting plenty of weight from EL CORDOBES but I had forgotten how bad the record of 3-y-o is in this race so I think he ran well again. He’s 25/1 for the Voltigeur at York next month but that looks a big price for a horse who we know likes York and quick ground.

ARABIAN CROWN didn’t like the quick turf here and will be much better on some softer ground while the same was probably true of PALLADIUM for all he was beaten nearly 15 lengths.

A poor result for Ryan Moore in the Group 2 races but he started the afternoon with SCANDINAVIA booking a trip to the Leger at Doncaster with an impressive win in the Group 3 over 2600m coming home unchallenged by eight and a half lengths. He’s in the Goodwood Cup for which he is 8s and the Voltigeur for which he is 5s and he’s clearly a young stayer of some potential.

I saw OPERA BALLO win the Heron at Sandown at the end of May and wisely, I think, Godolphin decided to swerve Ascot as he looked very good winning the 1600m Listed race named after the late Sir Henry Cecil who trained, among other great horses, the wonderful Frankel.

OPERA BALLO is a long way from that class but he’s improving and put up a decent time in this grade – I suspect they’ll have to go into Group company now where it will get tougher.

[stodge]

After a near 15,000 crowd for the opening day, the second day of the Newmarket July Festival drew another large attendance.

A scorching hot afternoon for all and despite 6mm of watering applied by the Clerk overnight, the ground remained on the fast side at Good to Firm (watered).

The feature race on the second afternoon was the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes over the mile for the fillies and mares and this was another of the inter-generational clashes which dominate the season from here onwards. The well backed favourite at 6/4 was JANUARY from the Aidan O’Brien yard who had run a fine third in the Coronation at Ascot.

The older fillies were headed by CRIMSON ADVOCATE and CINDERELLA’S DREAM who had finished first and second in the Duke of Cambridge over the round mile.

The three at the top of the market dominated the finish and whether Ryan Moore will feel he went 50m too soon on JANUARY I don’t know but these are the finest of margins and this time it didn’t quite work as JANUARY was outpointed by CINDERELLA’S DREAM who we know goes 1800m on firm turf and relished this trip on this ground.

After a disappointing (by their standards) Ascot, Godolphin and Charlie Appleby are on fire at their home meeting and this was another for William Buick after his first day treble. CINDERELLA’S DREAM has an end target of the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf but the question will be where she will get her ground between now and then. She’s 4s for the Nassau at Goodwood but has to give 9 lbs to Pretty Polly winner WHIRL who I suspect is ahead of JANUARY in the pecking order at Ballydoyle.

JANUARY did nothing wrong in defeat – whether she really gets a stiff mile I’m not sure – I’d like to see her dropped back to 1400m.

CRIMSON ADVOCATE was trapped out wide when the race developed and couldn’t produce the same turn of foot she had at Ascot.  She may head for the Celebration Mile at Goodwood at the end of August.

The front three were a length and three quarters on from the others. My hope, ELWATEEN, still doesn’t look back to how she was before the 1000 Guineas and I’m not sure how well she takes her racing. The German 1000 Guineas winner LADY ILZE was a decent fifth and that was a fine effort given she was only a neck behind the 2024 English 1000 Guineas winner, ELMALKA.

The winning time of 1 minute 37.89 seconds was 0.49 seconds above standard so nothing exceptional.

The supporting Group 2 was the Duchess of Cambridge for the juvenile fillies and this cut up to just six runners and it looked a penalty kick for Albany winner VENETIAN SUN who went off 2/5 but if you’d had £5,000 to win £2,000 you’d have been sweating as she was made to work by ROYAL VACATION from the Ed Walker who had won her maiden at the Thirsk meeting on the opening day of Royal Ascot but this was a huge step forward and you wouldn’t be confident who would prevail if the two met down the road.

Both the winner and runner up are in the Lowther at York which is a flatter and faster 1200m.

I wouldn’t normally mention a juvenile maiden but the 1400m for colts and geldings is traditionally a very strong race – last year it was won by FIELD OF GOLD – and another very classy field turned up for this year’s renewal and the paddock inspection showed them to be a quality bunch.

The betting suggested the superpower yards had the answer and it was DISTANT STORM representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby who went off 5/6 favourite with OXAGON for the Gosdens at 5s while CONSTITUTION RIVER for Ballydoyle and VENETIAN PRINCE for the Andrew Balding yard were easy to back at 15/2.

In the end, two dominated, drawing nearly four lengths clear of the others and DISTANT STORM just tipped out CONSTITUTION RIVER by a short head in yet another Buick vs Moore finish.

DISTANT STORM is a son of Night of Thunder out of a George Washington mare and is a half to a useful handicapper called CLASSIC, trained by Richard Hannon and to BEAUTIFUL MORNING, who won Group races in 2012 and 2013. He’s obviously got an engine and they’ve put him in the National at The Curragh in the middle of September.

CONSTITUTION RIVER raced wide which probably wasn’t ideal on debut but quickened really well up the hill on the firm ground. He’s by Wootton Bassett (as you might expect) and the first foal of a Le Havre mare.

Both colts looked very smart – whether they will be classic contenders next year remains to be seen but this is a maiden with a record of producing some very good 3-y-o.

[stodge]

A busy Saturday in the UK dubbed "Super Saturday" by the racing media and while it was good to have meetings at top venues like Newmarket, Ascot and York the truth is with a very quiet weekend following, moving one of the cards one week would make a lot of sense.

It also drove a coach and horses through the concept of "Premier" Saturdays which limits the action to three mettings between 2pm and 4pm to ensure the big race of the day isn't crowded out by races at other venues and gets the time and attention it deserves. That means the big race has to go off before 4pm - unfortunately, ITV insisted the July Cup went off at 4.35pm to build their three and a half hour programme to a climax so the poor Chester meeting had its first two races either side of the July Cup despite suffering a 25% drop in attendance for having been forced to move its start time to 4.20pm.

You better believe it's not just the New Zealand Horseracing authorities who make a dog's breakfast of things sometimes.

Back to the on track action and another scorching hot day on the July Course brough another sizeable crowd to the final day of the Newmarket July Festival (just over 36,000 through the turnstiles on the three days, up 6% on 2024).

The ground remained Good to Firm (watered).

The feature race was the Group 1 July Cup over 1200m for the sprinters. Favourite on the off was NOTABLE SPEECH who had won the 2000 Guineas and Sussex last year. This was the horse's first run back at 1200m but he had shown plenty of speed and the view after two fourth places in the Lockinge and the Queen Anne was he wasn't quite seeing out the stiff straight mile.

FLORA OF BERMUDA was well fancied after her fine runs in the Duke of York and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee. The 3-y-o challenge was limited but arguably headed by WHISTLEJACKET and SYMBOL OF HONOUR who, despite having won the Sandy Lane at Haydock, appeared to be the Godolphin second string.

There was drama before the start with the well fancied INISHERIN scratched on veterinary advice.

A right boilover with NO HALF MEASURES winning at 66/1, the longest priced winner in the history of the race. Neil Callan had plied his trade in Hong Kong for a number of years before coming back to the UK and is one of the more senior members of the jockeys' room.

For trainer Richard Hughes, this was an extraordinary achievement, his first ever Group 1. He was a three times champion flat jockey and the son of the great irish trainer Dessie Hughes. Richard Hughes rode for Juddmonte for many years and won the July Cup on Oasis Dream who has gone on to be a great stallion producing Native Trail, Midday and Muharrar to name but three.

Hughes married Richard Hannon's sister so he rode a lot for that stable as well.

Not a dry eye in the house as the filly returned and she's in both the 1000m King George Stakes at Goodwood and of course the Haydock Sprint Trophy for which she is 14s. 

A more dispassionate analysis of the form might suggest this is another sign of a very weak division and why the foreign raiders like an ASFOORA or a SATONO REVE didn't take their chance is a mystery.

The best of the 3-y-o was BIG MOJO, who after being well held over this trip in both the Sandy Lane and the Commonwealth Cup, put up a huge effort but whether connections will be tempted to go back to 1000m or stay at this trip I'm not sure.

RUN TO FREEDOM outran his 40/1 odds in third and for tricast fans the dividend was £27,674.69 which is nice work if you can get it.

The six horses from third to eighth were split by a length and it was a real bunch for the minor spots.  BELIEVING ran a fine fourth on her final run as she is in foal and having won £1.35 million in win and place prize money owes her connections very little and I look forward to seeing her progeny down the line.

NOTABLE SPEECH was a decent fifth - he looked to travel into the race well enough but in truth finished off no better here than he had over a mile and I wonder if there's a problem. JASOUR was sixth, SPY CHIEF seventh and SYMBOL OF HONOUR, who wasn't done any favours by the general bunching in the final 200m, eighth but beaten only three lengths overall.

Both WHISTLEJACKET and FLORA OF BERMUDA missed the start with the latter particularly tardy and neither threatened to get involved.

We're none the wiser where the sprinters are concerned - LAZZAT and SATONO REVE were the best at Ascot and nothing I saw suggested they wouldn't have beaten this lot again.

The time was 1 minute 11.18 seconds which is 0.98 seconds above race median suggesting the ground had been nicely watered overnight.

The supporting Group 2 Superlative over 1400m for the juvenile colts was described as a "schmozzle" by ITV commentator Richard Hoiles and it was a messy race. Hot favourite ITALY from the Aidan O'Brien yard was outpointed by SABA DESERT from Godolphin who had drifted from 7/2 to 6s in the betting exchanges in face of support for his stable companion WILD DESERT who finished the meat in the sandwich as first the filly VENETIAN LACE (fourth and not without promise) and then the winner hung left possibly away from the crowds.

SABA DESERT was another for Godolphin and Buick who was having a wonderful meeting. The horse is in the National at The Curragh and is already 14s for next May's English 2000 Guineas along with ITALY who did little wrong and, as Aidan O'Brien had suggested in the pre race interview, would come on a lot for the experience.

Over at Ascot, the Group 2 Summer MIle saw NEVER SO BRAVE follow up his handicap success at the Royal meeting with an impressive strong run to beat pace setter POINT LYNAS on whom Jamie Spencer had tried something enterprising by trying to slip the field and it almost worked. NEVER SO BRAVE's entries suggest he may be dropped back to 1400m but I'd keep him at a mile on the back of this.

HAATEM wasn't beaten far in third and I think he'll step back up in trip after this.

AL QAREEM justified odds of 4/7 when winning the 2800m Group 3 at York but that win has probably ruled him out of the Ebor and he'll go instead for the Irish Leger in mid September.

[stodge]

On then to Sunday and attention shifted to Paris for the traditional Bastille Day card at Longchamp which marks the end of the summer season and the course shuts down until early September as French racing heads to Normandy and the Deauville Festival.

A decent card was headed by the Grand Prix de Paris over 2400m which attracted a small but interesting field. NEW GROUND and TRINITY COLLEGE renewed rivalry from the Jockey Club but since Chantilly TRINITY COLLEGE had bean an impressive winner at Ascot.

I thought Ryan Moore did everything right on TRINITY COLLEGE though whether the horse really sees out 2400m is open to question on this evidence. LEFFARD had been well held in the Jockey Club finishing one from last so this was a huge step forward.

NEW GROUND pulled too hard early and thqt cost him at the business end but it wasn't a bad run and if he could settle further I think he's still an interesting prospect at this trip.

LEFFARD is in the Arc while TRINITY COLLEGE is in both the Voltigeur and the Juddmonte at York.

They ran 2 minutes 26.45 for the 2400m which was 2.95 seconds faster than standard so FRANKLY GOOD CEN set a very decent pace and they finished strongly.

The British raider QILIN QUEEN from the in-form Ed Walker stable won the Group 2 Malleret beating the odds on favourite SUNLY by a short neck in a desperate finish. The other Group 2, the Maurice de Nieuil, was run more than three seconds below standard in 2 minutes 55.01 seconds for the 2800m. Favourite SIBAYAN just got the better of INTERNAUTE - the winner, being a gelding, can't run in the Arc but INTERNAUTE has an entry and looks interesting.

[stodge]

After last week's excitements, a much quieter week in Britain approaching.

The coming weekend is perhaps as low-key as any in the summer but in Ireland Saturday sees the Group 1 Irish Oaks at The Curragh. English Oaks winner MINNIE HAUK has been put in at 1/2 to emulate stable mate LAMBOURN and win both the English and Irish versions of the classic.

There's a strong supporting card with three Group 2 races, the Railway, the Sapphire and the Curragh Cup.

Next Sunday is a lower key card at The Curragh with the highlight the Group 2 Minstrel.

It's fairly quiet in France as well with the Group 2 Robert Papin the feature at Chantilly next Sunday.

More on these races later in the week.

[stodge]

The final declarations are through for Saturday. As I’ve said, it’s a low key weekend in Britain with a single Group 3 and summer jump races on the tv.

In Ireland, however, The Curragh stages the two day Oaks meeting.

There has been rain and the ground has eased to Good, Good to Yielding in places.

Seven go to post in the feature Group 1 Irish Oaks over 2400m. English Oaks winner MINNIE HAUK is a prohibitive 1/4 to follow up. Aidan O’Brien has padded the field with three other runners but they are all substantially inferior on the figures to the favourite and it should be a steering job for Ryan Moore if she reproduces her Epsom form where she beat subsequent Pretty Polly winner WHIRL.

The only conceivable threat looks to be WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY but she was four lengths behind WHIRL in the Pretty Polly and five and a half lengths behind MINNIE HAUK at Epsom. It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if she reduced the gap a little but a sporting bet might be Johnny Murtagh’s filly SUBSONIC who, on her only run as a juvenile, was only a length behind MINNIE HAUK. To be fair, SUBSONIC ran poorly when favourite on her return at Naas at the end of April and it may just be Murtagh has been waiting for some juice in the ground. She’s 25s and with only two each way places available, a small forecast might be an option.

The classic is disappointing and just four go in the Group 2 Railway over 1200m for the juveniles. One filly takes on three colts but the filly is Queen Mary winner TRUE LOVE who blitzed the field at Ascot.  Her previous defeat to GSTAAD looks a lot better after the latter stormed home in the Coventry. POWER BLUE was fifth, beaten four lengths, in the Coventry and looks the main if not only threat to TRUE LOVE but the filly looks above average.

The other Group 2 is the Curragh Cup over 2800m which is an Irish Leger Trial. Clear top rated and 11/8 favourite is AL RIFFA and his second in the Hardwicke to REBEL’S ROMANCE is much stronger than any of these have shown and we know from his runs in Germany a little ease in the ground will help. The one question is the trip - he’s never gone further than 2400m - and it has to be a concern if you are going to play the short odds.

The leading Ballydoyle contender is the 3-y-o SHACKLETON who ran fourth in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot and understandably found the waters of the Irish Derby too deep when on pacemaking duties for LAMBOURN but if there is a stamina doubt about AL RIFFA, SHACKLETON is the one to exploit it and with Aidan O’Brien having two other runners, I suspect a strong gallop will ensue and on that basis 3s about SHACKLETON looks a decent bet.

Aidan runs three and his son Joseph also has three and apart from AL RIFFA, he saddles UXMAL who is an intriguing contender. UXMAL has been off the course for 392 days since landing a monster gamble in the 2024 Queen Alexandra over 4350m at Ascot. I don’t know why he’s been off but the trip will be no problem and I’m interested to see how this one runs on what will be only his ninth outing.