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| Punter's Diary by Malcolm Heyhoe |
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| Updated: 1st July 2011 - GG.com |
July's Pearls
The Coral Eclipse ushers in a month of high-class action at Sandown on July 2 and if the main contenders stand their ground in the shape of So You Think and Workforce, the scene will be set for a battle royal upon the Esher slopes.
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So You Think was a costly loser for many backers when just touched off at Royal Ascot by a resurgent and determined Rewilding, and at least some of the hype that surrounds the former Australian superstar has evaporated. I suspect Workforce will prove too good for the ex-Aussie champion after proving his worth around Sandown's mile and a quarter course with an eye-catching success in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
Newmarket's three-day July meeting has budged up a day in the calendar to ensure that a Saturday sees the climax of this prestigious meeting. On July 7 the Classic generation of fillies will face the older generation in the Falmouth Stakes and in past seasons the successful call has been to stick with the younger brigade.
France's Immortal Verse might well be a contender and prove hard to beat while in the Cherry Hinton Stakes on the same day, Shumoos should appreciate the extra furlong and go one better than she managed at Ascot recently.
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On July 9 the final day of this grand three-day meeting puts the Group 1 July Cup centre stage on a Saturday for the first time. There are no stars among the sprint brigade this season, and a big-priced winner could well be the order of the day in a race that is often hard to fathom for backers. If a fancied horse wins, it may well be market leader, Delegator, who has been kept fresh for Newmarket.
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Over at York on the same day the John Smith's Cup is the day's big handicap, and punters should take note of any fancied horse coming on from Royal Ascot. This might well be an ideal race for Julienas, the Royal Hunt Cup winner while Green Destiny, who ran such a shocker for William Haggas in the Wolferton Stakes, could be another to take his chance. Jockey Michael Hills gave this horse a poor ride at Ascot, and he will need to do better on the Knavesmire.
At the Curragh on July 17 in the Irish Oaks there is a potentially mouth-watering clash between the Epsom Oaks runner-up and Wonder Of Wonders and Ribblesdale heroine Banimpire. The former's effort behind Dancing Rain came in a farce of a race at Epsom and I wouldn't give much credence to the Classic form whereas Banimpire looked a tough as teak filly when getting up at Ascot last time, and she would be the one for me.
July's high-class action comes to a stunning climax with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Britain's premier all-aged middle-distance event and St Nicholas Abbey is fancied to prevail from Godolphin's Rewilding in another thrilling meeting between the older horses.
Glorious Goodwood brings July to a fitting climax courtesy of a potential clash between Canford Cliffs and Frankel in the Sussex Stakes on July 28 while the smarter fillies get the chance to strut their stuff in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on July 30. Midday's eclipse by Misty For Me has opened the door to the younger generation and it would be a treat to see one of the classy French fillies such as Golden Lilac or Immortal Verse in action here.
Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips
Archive June 2011
