Peter Chapple-Hyam has carried all before him this season and can saddle another big-race winner with Dutch Art in the Darley July Cup (3.10) at Newmarket today.
Unbeaten in four starts as a juvenile, Dutch Art has run with credit in his three races this year without getting his head in front. In need of the run when second on his reappearance at Newbury, he was then first home on the unfavoured far side – showing a smart turn of foot – when third to Cockney Rebel in the 2,000 Guineas.
It again looked as though speed was Dutch Art’s forte when a close fourth to Excellent Art at Royal Ascot last time and, a dual winner in the highest grade already, he rates a fair bet at 9-2 with totesport to add to that tally now that he drops back to six furlongs.
Sakhee’s Secret looks the main threat. He could not have been more impressive in winning his three starts this season, most recently bursting four lengths clear of the useful Prime Defender in listed company at Salisbury. This is a big step up in class, however, and he looks short enough at around 4-1.
Asset also merits plenty of respect. He impressed when making a winning reappearance at the Rowley Mile course here in April and deserves plenty of credit for his recent close third to Soldier’s Tale at Royal Ascot as the ground was softer than ideal for him. Back on a faster surface, he should reverse that form and will be hard to keep out of the frame.
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Hugh Bowman, the Australian jockey who made such an impressive start in Britain, has endured a quiet time of late but can bounce back on board Grantley Adams in the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup (2.35). He ran a cracking race when a staying-on fifth in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot, faring best of those drawn low, and shapes as though he will appreciate this return to seven furlongs. At 10-1 with William Hill, Grantley Adams rates the best bet of the day.
Mine, who bids for a fourth win in this race, rates the main threat. He looked as good as ever this term when gaining a listed-race success at Hay-dock last month.
Ea will be hard to beat in the Ritz Club Handicap (1.30). He, too, had his chance compromised by a low draw at Royal Ascot, running a remarkable race to catch all bar Eddie Jock in the Britannia Stakes. A 6lb rise in the weights for that effort is extremely fair and Ea should take this weaker race.
Feared In Flight did not enjoy theI clearest of runs when third to Maze in the Chesham Stakes at the royal meeting and can make amends in the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes (2.00).