2023 Friday Newmarket July Festival Tips – DS
2023 Friday Newmarket July Festival Tips
Thankfully, we kicked off with a lovely 20/1 winner on Day 1. Jasour was delivered to perfection by Jim Crowley and he’s an exciting prospect. Land Legend wasn’t beaten far at all and he’ll benefit from a stronger gallop the next day. Redemption Time blew the start and it was game over straight away. Let’s hope for another winner tomorrow, 2023 Friday Newmarket July Festival tips are below.
1.50 – bet365 Handicap (Heritage)
The one that makes most appeal at a price in this open looking race is Gozo. The son of Cotai Glory remains a maiden after five runs but he has run really well in his first two handicaps. On his debut in this sphere he went down by a short head to Coverdale (won again since) at Haydock (10f gd/fm).
He tried to make all that day but last time out at Salisbury, after a tardy start he was held up. Jack Mitchell was still sitting quietly as they hit the 3f pole but the leaders had flown and in the circumstances the horse did well to stay on for 3rd, beat 5L for the win by the shrewdly ridden Galactic Jack.
Ben Brookhouse has booked Theodore Ladd for the ride today. He is 2/4 with a place for the trainer, an encouraging record. There’s loads of pace in this race so the fact he stayed 12f last time is a plus, as is the fact we learned he can be held up. Off a feather weight, hopefully Gozo can run on late for place money at odds of 40/1.
2023 Friday Newmarket July Festival Tip: Gozo e/w @ 40/1 (4 places) NB
2.05 York – William Hill Handicap (Class 2)
The old boy Documenting would be of interest here off 99 but unfortunately, the weather is not in his favour. The rain is due to start at around 10am at York so by the time of this race, the ground will likely be too soft for him.
In fact, if it does turn soft, he will probably be taken out and if that happens, we’ll only have seven runners and two places for e/w players. If the rain doesn’t come he is worth a bet at 20s but given the uncertainty surrounding the conditions, I’ll give this race a miss. No bet.
2023 Friday York Tip: No bet
2.25 – Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
A win only race that doesn’t appeal as a betting heat. Star Of Mystery is long odds on but I wouldn’t write off Persian Dreamer. It’ll be interesting to see how last time out Newbury winner Woodhay Wonder goes for Tom Ward but on all known form, it is hard to see past the top two in the betting.
2023 Friday Newmarket July Festival Tip: No bet
2.40 York – William Hill Summer Stakes (Group 3)
If the forecast rain comes and it turns soft, this will be a bit of a guessing game. The fav Swingalong has won on good to soft and placed on soft so she should be fine whatever happens. Royal Aclaim has done her winning on fast turf but she has also placed on soft, in a Longchamp G3 last season.
Mammas Girl won her G3 on good to soft but flopped on soft in the Guineas behind Mawj. She ran a stinker at Ascot on quick ground last time too so she isn’t easy to fancy. Gale Force Maya and Al Simmo want fast ground and both Juliet Sierra and Pink Crystal are unraced on slower than good.
The filly that makes most appeal at the current prices is Radio Goo Goo. Trained by David Evans, this hardy daughter of Havana Grey has already won four times this season, including on soft at Chester. She was a C&D handicap winner on good to firm two starts ago, beating Al Simmo by a nose in receipt of 9lbs. She is 3lbs worse off with that horse here but on soft ground, the form should be upheld.
Evans’ charge lost little caste in defeat at Royal Ascot last time out. She finished 4th of 26 off 92 over a trip short of her optimum. Stepping back up to 6f is a huge plus, Ben Curtis gets on great with her and rain shouldn’t inconvenience her too much. At odds of 18/1, hopefully Radio Goo Goo can make a bold bid from the front and pick up some precious black type.
2023 Friday York Tip: Radio Goo Goo e/w @ 18/1 nAP
3.00 – Bet365 Trophy Handicap (Heritage)
A very underwhelming turnout for this 14f heritage handicap. Ten were declared but it now looks like nine will run with La Pulga a likely non-runner. I’ve been involved with a couple of horses trained by Adrian Keatley in the past and I wouldn’t mind seeing his admirable stayer Kihavah win. He’s just 11/2 though so we’ll have to look elsewhere for some e/w value.
Ravens Ark usually plies his trade at a lower level than this. However, Hughie Morrison’s charge has been knocking on the door the last twice and the form of his Ascot 2nd in May has been franked. Sheer Rocks beat him by a length off 87 (Ravens Ark off 80) and he was beat 1.75L off 94 in the Old Newton Cup last week.
Last time at Goodwood (14f gd/fm), Ravens Ark again finished 2nd off 80, beat 1.5L. The 4th has since franked that form and the 5th has since hacked up in a novice hurdle. He ran well in a class 2 handicap when 4th off 83 in May of last year and he is only 1lb higher than his last winning mark. This doesn’t look a strong race for this grade and if Ravens Ark reproduces the form of his last two efforts, he won’t be far away at 12/1.
2023 Friday Newmarket July Festival Tip: Ravens Ark e/w @ 12/1
3.35 – Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1)
This has the look of a race that may well be run at a muddling pace. There is a distinct lack of early pace, so I’m going to hope that being on the front end is going to be pivotal. With that in mind, it makes sense to keep the faith with usual front runner, Random Harvest.
We backed this mare last time out at Royal Ascot (8f gd). Sent off at 22/1, Saffie Osborne gave her a great ride and she was just reeled in close to home by Rogue Millenium. Prosperous Voyage was behind in third, the second time in a row Ed Walker’s mare has beaten that filly.
Prosperous Voyage is shorter in the betting at 10/1 and that doesn’t make much sense to me. She had no excuses last time especially and I don’t see her turning that form around. This will be Random Harvest’s first run at the top level but she handled the step up to G2 company well and if she is left alone in the lead, hopefully she can gain a deserved win at odds of 12/1.
