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Updated: 28th June 2009 - GG.com

July's Gems

The Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on July 4 signals the height of summer for Flat racing’s rolling caravan of top-class action and this one and a quarter mile contest is famously seen as the first clash in the traditional set-to of the older and younger generations.

Sea The Stars
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Typically the latter age group has enjoyed a significant weight-for-age allowance but despite that weight advantage honours between the three and four-year-old age groups has been roughly even with Aidan O’Brien’s talented colt Mount Nelson sticking his head in front in a thrilling renewal twelve months ago.

This time around Sir Michael Stoute, who has landed this prize five times in his distinguished career, may well have a big say with Conduit, if his St Leger and Breeders Cup hero, takes his place on the Esher slopes while Luca Cumani’s Cima De Triomphe, a narrow winner from Conduit over course and distance last time, is another set to challenge for this big race, but the one they all have to beat is dula classic hero Sea The Stars.

On the same day as the Eclipse, Haydock stages the Lancashire Oaks and this mile and a half contest can often fall to a late-maturing filly from one of the big Newmarket yards such as Henry Cecil or Sir Michael Stoute. Punters should also keep a close watch on the entries for the Old Newton Cup on the same day because Luca Cumani has made a habit of winning this race, landing three of the last four renewals in grand style.

Newmarket’s three-day July meeting occupies pride of place in the middle of the month with the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes starting proceedings on July 8 with a considerable bang while on July 9 the Prince of Wales’s Stakes where the John Gosden-trained Duncan must be a lively contender if he stands his ground.

Takeover Target
© racing-images.co.uk

On July 10 the Group 1 July Cup is the feature race of this charming three-day meeting and all eyes will be upon Aussie speed king Scenic Blast as he bids to follow up his thrilling victory in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Paco Boy might step down in trip to take on the Aussie ace while Scenic Blast’s Australian sprinter Takeover Target may also be part of a combustible mix. Finally, the Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs remains one of the season’s top handicaps and Jeremy Noseda’s Captain Brilliance looked a keen contender for this big prize when hacking up over course and distance the other day.

York’s John Smith’s Cup on July 11 brings together some of the season’s more progressive ten-furlong performers and once again northern trainers will be trying hard to secure this valuable prize from their southern counterparts and north Yorkshire’s Sirvino is one that could make an impact on the Knavesmire. At the Curragh on July 12 the Irish Oaks may well be in the grasp of Sariska, who landed the Epsom model despite disliking the undulating track and the camber in the straight.

July’s high-class action reaches a climax with Ascot’s King George meeting followed by the first four days of Glorious Goodwood. At the former fixture Conduit and Campanologist look the two to follow in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with preference for the former while on July 28 Goodwood gets under orders with the Gordon Stakes and this traditional St Leger trial might be an ideal race for Your Old Pal from Jeremy Noseda’s stable. 

On July 29 there is an open-looking renewal of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes while the Goodwood Cup on July 29 might be the perfect race for Gold Cup runner-up Patkai and a day later on July 31, the same stable’s Mirrored might well be a decent wager in the Totesport Mile as long as he pulls the plum of a high draw.

Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips

Archive June 2009