Thursday 8 July 2021

Friday 9th & Saturday 10th July 2021: Follow the Creative Force in July Cup Belter

It’s ‘Super Saturday’ this weekend across numerous meetings, countless top handicaps and pattern races being run. We have a mammoth ten value bets across Friday and Saturday, beginning at HQ on day 2 of their July Meeting.

Friday 9th July 2021

1.50 Newmarket (Heritage Handicap) – PETER THE GREAT

After winning the Wood Ditton, running second to Nagano and then scoring easily on the Rowley Mile, it has always been felt that John & Thady Gosden’s Peter The Great was going to prove to be a Group horse.

They’re taking their chance while they can in a handicap in that case, the New Approach three-year-old getting in here off just 92 which makes him potentially very well in at the weights.

2.40 York (Summer Stakes – Group 3) – VADREAM

A competitive fillies’ Group 3 over six furlongs, there are numerous horses in with chances on paper in this contest.

There are however doubts about many too. Given the ground, or in Final Song’s case her 3lb penalty, a few have obstacles to get over and yet Vadream looks rock-solid.

Sixth in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Jersey Stakes, Charlie Fellowes’ filly gets better as she goes on and appears to keep getting quicker. This is well within her compass.

3.35 Newmarket (Falmouth Stakes – Group 1) – INDIE ANGEL

While most attention is on the July Cup, the Falmouth has also shaped up to be a very good Group 1 indeed.

Snow Lantern can improve, the Guineas winner Mother Earth should go well, while there may not be too much to choose between Lady Bowthorpe, Queen Power, Alcohol Free and Primo Bacio.

They are all quality, but for the second race in a row the Gosdens’ Indie Angel has been hugely underestimated in the betting. A very good winner of the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at 22/1 at Royal Ascot for this column, she is improving all the time and was supplemented for this race at a big cost.

Frankie Dettori can sit in behind what should be a strong pace, perhaps being able to just inveigle the grey into contention when it counts.

Saturday 10th July 2021

2.20 York (Silver Cup Stakes – Group 3) – HUKUM

On a brilliant afternoon of action at York, John Smith’s Cup Day, this Group 3 can help us kick things off in style.

Fujaira Prince still has ability and course winner Ilaraab may continue to improve, but the real class act in the race is Hukum and he should make Jim Crowley’s journey from Newmarket to York very much worthwhile.

An easy Listed winner at Goodwood and a fine third in the Hardwicke at the royal meeting, Hukum is still improving and can put this race to bed.

2.40 Newmarket (Handicap) – ROYAL FLEET

Qaader is solid but doesn’t seem to be improving while Kaheall may not be very well handicapped on the turf.

I was quite sweet on Latest Generation the last time he ran and there are races to be won with him, but Royal Fleet is very definitely ahead of the handicappers and should be able to make short work of this race. William Buick is now back to ride the no.1 Godolphin contenders.

3.00 Ascot (Summer Mile – Group 2) – TILSIT

This quality mile contest is about redemption for one or two contenders. Lincoln winner Haqeeqy remains a horse of some potential, while Al Suhail was thought of as a potential Guineas winner last year and could bounce back here.

Overpriced once again however is Tilsit. A good Group winner for us at 10/1 at Goodwood last year, a close fourth at Group 2 level to Kameko and half a whisker short of winning a Group 1 in France, he has all the quality needed. He’s still improving and wouldn’t be winning out of turn for Charlie Hills.

3.25 Chester (City Plate Stakes – Listed Race) – KHAADEM

Rhoscolyn is a good win rate but may not be good enough, Oh This Is Us is regressing and is penalised 5lbs, while Safe Voyage is also not quite the force he once was. Clearly on the comeback trail however is Khaadem.

Since winning the Steward’s Cup in 2019 he hasn’t been the same horse. However, after an inauspicious start to 2021 he’s improved with each run, finishing a 2¾ length fifth to Chil Chil in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle who now goes for the July Cup.

The seven furlongs looks ideal for him and he can take another step forward in his recovery to land this race.

4.00 Chester (Handicap) – MONBAHER

John & Thady Gosden’s Monbaher has been on a terrific run and each time he wins, he always looks as though he hasn’t had to put it all in. He can win for the third time in a row, Act Of Wisdom and Oman being the biggest dangers.

4.25 Newmarket (July Cup – Group 1) – CREATIVE FORCE

This is being billed as the race of the season so far, and it’s easy to see why. Last year’s winner and King’s Stand scorer Oxted is rightly well fancied, while Starman has been touted by his trainer as perhaps the best sprinter around.

Garrus is overpriced, Chil Chil and Dragon Symbol may not be far away while Extravagant Kid, Glorious Journey, Rohaan and Supremacy all have place chances on paper.

On a five-timer however is Godolphin’s Jersey Stakes winner Creative Force. He won that Group 3 despite the seven-furlong trip and being drawn on the far side, with this strong six being much more his bag. He’s classy, there’s no doubt about that, and he can run this field down late on to score for Charlie Appleby and Will Buick.

4.40 York (City Walls Stakes – Listed Race) – WINTER POWER

Winter Power stormed to a win here earlier in the season which put her among the favourites for the King’s Stand. She has a 3lb penalty to carry, but she’s all speed and loves it on the Knavesmire so can score again from Dakota Gold and Moss Gill.

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