Latest news with #JulyFestival
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien reacts after hot favourite Italy suffers shock defeat at Newmarket
Italy (4-6f) found Charlie Appleby-trained Saba Desert too strong in the bet365 Superlative Stakes. Other winners on the day were More Thunder and 66-1 chance No Half Measures in the feature Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Aidan O'Brien was remaining upbeat after a shock defeat for 4-6 favourite Italy in the Group Two bet365 Superlative Stakes. The hotpot was the shortest price of all runners contesting seven contests on the final day of Newmarket's July Festival. Italy arrived at the course after winning a maiden event at Leopardstown in good style and was racing away from home for the first time. And O'Brien felt the 200,000 guineas Wootton Bassett colt came up short on the experience front, as he was passed by Saba Desert who continued a great week for Charlie Appleby and Will Buick. "We were very happy - he was a bit babyish and green," the Ballydoyle trainer reported. "We thought that might be. So he will go back to the Futurity (Group Two at the Curragh in August) probably now. If he had won today he would have had to go into a Group One next so it's better as he's a baby and he came (here for experience). "He hasn't been worked up at all (at home) really. We will look forward to him the next day." Saba Desert (6-1) fly-leapt as he exited the stalls and finished strongly in what turned out to be a messy renewal. Long-time leader Venetian Lace drifted left when coming off the bridle and carried her across to the winner's stablemate Wild Desert, forcing Italy across too. The winner came down the stands side and placings remained unaltered after a stewards enquiry was called, when it was found no riders were at fault. "He's a horse that we've held in high regard from early on," said Appleby. "The most important part once you hit that rising ground and you are finishing and he showed that class in doing so." Punters had better luck with More Thunder (6-5f) who scraped home by a nose from Aalto in the bet365 Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Pipped in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, he quickened up smartly for Tom Marquand but had to battle hard for the prize late on. Cheers rang out when the judge confirmed the smart handicapper had put his head down at the right time and trainer William Haggas said: 'I need to watch it again, but for me they didn't go fast at all and he struggled to get momentum. I think he's better going fast."
The Guardian
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Cinderella's Dream on course for Breeders' Cup redemption after Falmouth first
Royal Ascot last month was something of a struggle for Charlie Appleby but his 'home' meeting this week has been a different story and the former champion trainer will head into the final day of the July Festival looking for a second Group One in as many days after Cinderella's Dream edged out January, the favourite, in the Falmouth Stakes on Friday. Appleby has two runners in Saturday's July Cup, the midsummer sprint championship, including the probable favourite, Notable Speech, and ended the middle afternoon of the meeting with six wins from 13 starters over the first two days. Cinderella's Dream, meanwhile, was a perfect reminder of how the trainer's fortunes have turned around in recent weeks, as the first Group One win of her career followed a defeat as the 5-4 favourite for a Group Two at the Royal meeting. 'I just don't know whether she was 100% at Ascot,' Appleby said. 'We were beaten turning in in my opinion, [but] Will was just travelling so much better today and when they hit the rising ground, I thought it would be tough to get past her.' Cinderella's Dream was the favourite for last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf but finished a half-length second after running into traffic problems around Del Mar's tight turf circuit. The San Diego track is the venue for the Breeders' Cup once again in November and Appleby will work backwards from there in terms of Cinderella's Dream's schedule for the remainder of the year. 'She's as tough as teak and I'm delighted for her getting a Group One as she's been so consistent,' Appleby said. 'It annoyed me when that got away from us last year so we're very much going back for another crack.' The Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes has been won by a subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner as recently as 2022 when Saeed bin Suroor's Mawj beat another future Group One winner in Lezoo – and Karl Burke has next year's Newmarket Classic very much in mind for Venetian Sun after she maintained her unbeaten record with a neck success in the latest renewal. 'Her pedigree says she is more a miler at least, and a three-year-old,' Burke said. 'She's a very mature filly with a great engine and I think racing against the very best horses will bring out the best in her.' The July Cup and two of the season's most valuable handicaps are the highlights of ITV Racing's busiest Saturday of the year and with the shrewd William Haggas stable fielding a strong favourite in both the Bunbury Cup and John Smith's Cup, the Group One sprint at Newmarket is arguably the most interesting betting contest of the day after Notable Speech, last year's 2,000 Guineas winner, was a surprise addition to the field earlier this week. The last 2,000 Guineas winner to add a July Cup to his record was Tetratema in 1921, but Notable Speech went straight to the top of the betting on Monday with both Charlie Appleby and William Buick expressing cautious optimism that he will cope with the drop back in trip. 'Obviously we won't know fully about six furlongs until we try it, but it's worth a try,' Buick said this week. 'He's a horse with loads of speed and if he can adapt to that early pace and be within himself, I think he'll be there with a very good shot.' Notable Speech is the top-rated runner in Saturday's race but not by much, and while there is no standout in the current crop of sprinters, it still requires a slight leap of faith to back him at around 5-2. Whistlejacket, a Group One winner as a juvenile last season, is a live contender, but Flora Of Bermuda (4.35) also arrives with strong credentials having finished third in the Jubilee at Ascot last month. Andrew Balding's filly has gone close at the highest level already, still looks to be improving from race to race and is a fair bet at around 5-1 to finally notch a Group One win. Newmarket 1.40 This is generally one of the strongest fillies' maidens of the season and Desert Flower, this year's 1,000 Guineas winner, was Charlie Appleby's fifth winner in eight runnings 12 months ago. William Buick has picked Snow Light from Appleby's two runners and the hint is probably worth taking. York 2.00 Owen Burrows's Remmooz lost his unbeaten record in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last month but was still showing signs of inexperience there and and is likely to progress for the run. Newmarket 2.12 Miss Nightfall was much better than the bare result when sixth in an ultra-competitive race at Royal Ascot last time and arrives here running off just a 1lb higher mark. Ascot 2.22 Three Royal Ascot winners head the betting for this Group Two including Never So Brave, who put up one of the best handicap performances of the season to win the Buckingham Palace Stakes under 9st 12lb can take the step up in class in his stride. York 2.35 The admirably consistent Jm Jungle is a regular over this track and trip and could have a little too much speed for his rivals as he steps out of handicap company in Britain for the first time. Newmarket 2.50 William Haggas's More Thunder has an obvious chance on the form of his close second in the Wokingham Handicap but he had a hard race to get as close as he did after being outpaced three out and his short price makes the market for an each-way bet on Ebt's Guard at around 20-1. He was less than four lengths behind impressive winner My Cloud in the Hunt Cup last time, one of several pieces of form that give him a realistic chance to upset the favourite. York 3.10 It is 15 years since a three-year-old landed this ultra-competitive handicap but only a handful have made it into the field and it is not a stat that should put anyone off backing Archivist. He was a cosy winner off a 5lb lower mark on his handicap debut at this track last month, is bred to improve for this step up in trip and a single-figure draw is a big boost for his chance too. Newmarket 3.25 It took five attempts for Mister Winston to get off the mark at Chester last time out but he showed definite improvement to go two and a quarter lengths clear of the runner-up and starts out in handicaps off what could prove to be a generous mark. Newmarket 1.40 Snow Light 2.12 Miss Nightfall 2.50 Ebt's Guard (nap) 3.25 Mister Winston 4.00 Italy 4.35 Flora Of Bermuda 5.10 Asgard's Captain Ascot 1.45 Crest Of Fire 2.22 Never So Brave 2.57 Junkanoo 3.30 Orange Sky 4.10 Night Breeze 4.50 Holkham Bay (nb) 5.20 Kosometsuke York 2.00 Remmooz 2.35 Jm Jungle 3.10 Archivist 3.45 Tabletalk 4.15 Amazing Journey 4.45 Terrorise 5.25 Sugar Baby Chester 4.20 Moon Angel 4.55 Rosenpur 5.30 Annaf 6.05 Noble Victory 6.35 Rye 7.10 Bulldog Spirit Salisbury 5.40 Little Miss Magic 6.15 A Bit Of Spirit 6.45 Palio Di Siena 7.20 Soul Dance 7.50 Crystal Mariner 8.20 Emily Rebecca Hamilton 5.50 Stormy Pearl 6.25 Utmost Respect 7.00 Top Juggler 7.30 Spanish Hustle 8.00 Shine On Brendan 8.30 Zebra Star 9.00 Gentle Warri York 3.45 Tabletalk, last year's Melrose winner over course and distance, has been shaping well over shorter trips this year while also threatening to return to winning form when he steps back up to a mile and three-quarters. He is a solid option against likely favourite Al Qareem, who was gifted a soft lead for his win last time out. Newmarket 4.00 Aidan O'Brien's Italy beat a subsequent Royal Ascot runner-up on his debut at Leopardstown in May and can get the better of another once-raced winner, Saba Desert, in what promises to be a fascinating and informative juvenile contest. Ascot 4.50 Having finished well clear in the unfavoured group on the stands' side in the Wokingham last time out, Holkham Bay clearly remains in top form and this return to the minimum trip is unlikely to be an issue.
Powys County Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
King's Charter rules for Buick and Appleby
Charlie Appleby and William Buick picked up where they left off on day two of the July Festival at Newmarket, with King's Charter swooping late to land the £100,000 Bet365 Handicap. Following a Thursday treble for the Moulton Paddocks team that featured Buick's 2,000th winner in Britain, King's Charter was the 9-4 favourite for Friday's curtain-raiser, having opened his account at the third attempt on his first start as a three-year-old at Doncaster last month. Charlie Johnston's Marhaba Ghaiyyath kicked for home a long way out and proved a tough adversary, but Buick timed his challenge to perfection aboard King's Charter, who just proved speedier in the finish and passed the post with three-quarters of a length in hand. Appleby said: 'We felt the step up to 10 furlongs would hopefully see a bit of improvement, which was going to be needed at a meeting like this, and he's duly obliged with that. 'I'd probably say he's still a handicapping type at the moment. We'll see what the handicapper does and see where he lines up with (going to) Meydan. 'It's that time of year – from July onwards we start to put our team together for Meydan. Whether he's a horse that fits that bill, we'll see. 'Is he a Group horse? Probably not really, but he's a nice handicapper.'
The Independent
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Friday racing tips: Best bets and odds for Newmarket
January (Newmarket, 15.35) - 1pt win @ 2/1 (bet365) Venetian Sun & Argentine Tango (Newmarket, 14.25) - reverse forecast War Hawk (Newmarket, 13.50) - 0.5pt each-way @ 11/2 (William Hill) Dancing In Paris (Newmarket, 15.00) - 0.5pt each-way @ 6/1 (Ladbrokes) Nogo's Dream (Newmarket, 17.20) - 1pt win @ 4/1 (Boylesports) Newmarket's July Festival is always a summer highlight and day two of this year's meeting is headlined by the Falmouth Stakes (15.35), a Group 1 in which jockey Ryan Moore has an eye-catching recent record. In fact, you only have to look back 12 months to find the triple champion jockey's latest success in the race, when he partnered Porta Fortuna to win the one mile contest for Donnacha O'Brien, while he also partnered Integral (2014), Alice Springs (2016) and Roly Poly (2017) to win the race, the latter two for Donnacha's father Aidan. Now, the combination of Moore and Aidan O'Brien can strike for a third time and give the pilot his fifth winner in a race that has gone to the Emerald Isle in four of the last nine renewals. Falmouth Stakes Tips The Ballydoyle team saddles January this time around and, despite winning just two of her eight races, she still looks to be improving. Already a Group 1 second over on Newmarket's Rowley course in last year's Fillies' Mile, she put up a career-best when beaten less than two lengths into third behind Cercene, in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. A major plus for her is that she receives 9lbs from all the older horses in the field and that could prove beneficial come the business end of the contest, with betting sites pricing her up accordingly. The achievements of both Cinderella's Dream and Crimson Advocate both read well in context but if O'Brien can get January to the July Course in the same shape as she was at the Berkshire track, then she could take all the beating. John Gosden has trained the winner either as the sole licensee or with son Thady on four occasions and with their string firing on all cylinders, Crimson Advocate can perhaps eclipse stable companion Running Lion and prove the main danger to the selection. Duchess of Cambridge Stakes Tips The Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (14.25) is a race that can throw up the occasional shock result, not least last year's 12/1 scorer Arabian Dusk. However, Venetian Sun looks a very worthy short-priced favourite on horse racing betting sites for this renewal, after beating the re-opposing Argentine Tango in a fillies' novice event at Carlisle in May. The latter has subsequently gone on to win both the Hilary Needler at Beverley and the Listed Empress Stakes over the same course and distance as Friday's race. She has clearly improved but so too has Karl Burke's filly, who went straight from Carlisle to the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she was a decisive winner. That is the strongest piece of form on offer here and she can make a successful step up to Group 2 company. For those not wanting to take too short a price, these two leading players do look genuine forecast material. 13.50 Newmarket Tips A field of just eight has been declared for the Bet365 Handicap (13.50) despite a winning pot of over £51,000 and the value on betting apps looks to be in the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained War Hawk. Ryan Moore has been booked for the hat-trick bid, which looks significant, while the gelding's style of running has made it hard for the handicapper to get a firm handle on him. He's progressed in all his last four starts, winning at Chester in May and following up shortly after that at Epsom's Derby meeting. The front pair were more than 2lb clear there and a 5lb rise does not look insurmountable. There looks to be some value in his price, as he may not have stopped improving just yet and he can be backed each-way if preferred, with the likely favourite, King's Charter, an interesting newcomer to handicaps. 15.00 Newmarket Tips The Bet365 Trophy (15.00) looks wide open on paper. Ian Williams is mob-handed, with three runners and Dancing In Paris looks capable of landing this Heritage Handicap. With nothing obviously well treated, those with solid form in similar contests and proven over this 1m6f trip looks the ones to concentrate on. Last-time winner Insanity comes into that category but he has a bit more to prove stamina-wise and it was a particularly slow race that he won at Ayr. Endless Victory was a very respectable fifth in Royal Ascot's Copper Horse Stakes, over a similar trip. He could have a bigger say here, while Story Horse is still going the right way and his second at Goodwood last time was also the best form he's produced. Dancing In Paris finished just behind him that day, which was his best on turf and he backed that up with a close second in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last month, which was better still. Arguably, he deserves to win a prize like this and if he can equal or better that latest effort this could be the day. 17.20 Newmarket Tips There's collateral form between the top two in the market in the Handicap (17.20), with Nogo's Dream having narrowly beaten Grandlad at Windsor last time. On that occasion, Oisin Murphy was on board the Richard Hughes-trained Nogo's Dream. This time, Ryan Moore is booked and Murphy rides Master Of My Fate. The Moore-Hughes combination is the same that won this race last year, while Moore's only previous ride on Nogo's Dream was a winning one. Therefore, there are a few reasons to side with the gelded son of Oasis Dream, despite a 4lb pull for the James Horton-trained Grandlad, for three-quarters of a length. Generally consistent, Nogo's Dream can build further on that latest career-best and add another win. Please Gamble Responsibly Sports betting can be enjoyable, but it's important to stay in control and gamble responsibly. Whether you are using the best online casino, slot sites, poker sites, or online bookmakers, responsible gambling should always be a priority. All licensed gambling sites in the UK are required to provide tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and self-assessment questionnaires. These are designed to help you manage your activity and protect your well-being. 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Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘Everything sets up perfectly for her' – Templegate's 5-2 NAP runs for a red-hot trainer
Our man is in red-hot form TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'Everything sets up perfectly for her' – Templegate's 5-2 NAP runs for a red-hot trainer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday's racing confident of smashing in some more winners on day two of Newmarket's July Festival. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up CINDERELLA'S DREAM (3.35 Newmarket, nap) She was far from disgraced when second in the Duke Of Cambridge at Royal Ascot on the back of an impressive Dahlia win on the Rowley Mile. She didn't have enough time up the short straight to hit top gear and that's not a problem today. ENDLESS VICTORY (3.00 Newmarket, nb) He put in one of the better runs from a Charlie Appleby horse at Royal Ascot. He was too far back before coming home like a train into second. He has more to come over staying trips and will hopefully start his run a bit earlier this time. SAYIDAH DARIYAN (2.45 York, treble) She stormed home for fourth in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and could take a step forward again. That performance was no fluke and this Group 3 looks a good opening for a rapidly progressive filly. With pace to aim at and conditions in her favour, she's hard to fault. Templegate's TV verdicts NEWMARKET 1.50 URBAN GLIMPSE looks the right one. He's been in fine form and was just edged out at York last time, staying on strongly over a similar trip, and this stiffer finish could play to his strengths. King's Charter looks a threat under William Buick. He takes a big step up from his novice win at Doncaster but that looked a decent contest and he's respected. Kurakka is going for a hat-trick after dominating from the front at Haydock but he may lack a bit of pace at this level. War Hawk did well to score at Epsom despite traffic problems and the booking of Ryan Moore takes the eye. Regalian keeps hitting the frame and may find one too good again. 2.25 VENETIAN SUN is a skinny price but she'll shine again. She couldn't have been any more impressive when winning the Albany on her second start at Royal Ascot. We know this trip and decent ground are ideal and there's more to come. Spicy Marg and Shine On Me both come here after running well in the Queen Mary with improvement to come. The latter could be the pick of the pair given how sharply she came home. Moving up to 6f could unlock more from both of them. Mood Queen and Royal Fixation both won novice contests well but need a fair bit more. Argentine Tango was a Listed winner here latest so we know the trip suits and she could hit the frame. 3.00 ENDLESS VICTORY put in one of the better runs from a Charlie Appleby horse at Royal Ascot. He was too far back before coming home like a train into second. He has more to come over staying trips and will hopefully start his run a bit earlier this time. Dancing In Paris was a good second in the Northumberland Plate and is a big threat if this isn't coming too soon. We know stamina isn't an issue. Insanity put a few modest runs behind him when winning at Ayr and is dangerous if still in the groove. Real Dream scored at Listed level last time and a repeat of that gives each-way hopes. Story Horse likes it here and is another with place prospects. 3.35 CINDERELLA'S DREAM was far from disgraced when second in the Duke Of Cambridge at Royal Ascot on the back of an impressive Dahlia win on the Rowley Mile. She didn't have enough time up the short straight to hit top gear and that's not a problem today. Crimson Advocate showed good pace to beat the tip last time with Ascot suiting better. This long straight may not be so helpful. January gets weight off them and went close in the Coronation. She can't be ignored. Elmalka is a Guineas winner so will enjoy the track and put in a fair effort in France last time. She needs to step up to score. Elwateen didn't handle Epsom last time and could nick third. YORK 2.10 DUBAI TREASURE looks well ahead of this standard. Saeed Bin Suroor's lightly raced filly made it two from two this term with ease at Lingfield on handicap debut. The handicapper was watching and has booted her up 10lb but she looks potentially better than a handicapper. Fortamour keeps knocking on the door at this level and has run well here before. Sword was a good winner at Leicester last month before another good run when hampered at Haydock last time. He's a big danger. Streets of Gold is another of interest if building on a solid first run for Julie Camacho. Fifty Nifty is still 6lb above his last win but has his sights lowered plenty here which could help. Physique ran well at Newmarket last time and likes this tricky trip. He's not won for a while but could make the frame, while Talis Evolvere was back to form at Newcastle 13 days ago. 2.45 SAYIDAH DARIYAN stormed home for fourth in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and could take a step forward again. That performance was no fluke and this Group 3 looks a good opening for a rapidly progressive filly. With pace to aim at and conditions in her favour, she's hard to fault. Electric Storm looks a danger with her ability to lay up with the speed and her Group 2 form reading well. If she grabs an early position, she'll be hard to pass. First Instinct has been mixing it at Group 2 level and is a strong-finishing type who could run into the frame. Nighteyes posted a huge run in the Jubilee and goes well here but her sluggish starts are a worry. If Celandine is fully tuned after 286 days off, her Lowther winning form puts her in the each-way picture. 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