Newmarket selections Saturday 12th July
Super Saturday is with us again, a day where Newmarket, York and Ascot all compete for top billing with top handicaps and group races abound. I am sharing my selections across all three cards. Kings Charter was a winner for us yesterday (advised 11/4), whilst Up the Pace was second for the each-way bet (SP 6/1).
Newmarket 2.50: More Thunder & Ten Pounds
At first glance we have a ridiculously short priced favourite for a race as competitive as the Bunbury Cup in MORE THUNDER. However in truth there is not the strength in depth in the field this year and William Haggas’ gelding has massive claims.
Campaigned at middle distances by Michael Stoute last season, he has been transformed by the switch of yards this season and proved quick enough to win back-to-back 6f handicaps at Newmarket in the spring. He needed every yard on the latter occasion though and that vulnerability at the trip showed up in the Wokingham where he seemed to be going nowhere until flying through the last 300 yards, just failing to nab all the way leader Get In. Surely he will be seen to better effect upped a furlong and he can race off the same rating of 98 today.
At more generous odds, TEN POUNDS should go well, even off top weight. Very lightly raced, he also began his campaign with a win at Newmarket in April over 7f – making most, but battling back well when briefly headed in the dip.
He bombed out at Ascot next time, but got upset in the stalls, and returned to his best with a third in the Wokingham. Given he was so close to More Thunder that day and is on the same terms today, he really should not be far behind again here.
York 3.10: Hand of God & See That Storm
Another classy looking John Smiths Cup where the winner is most likely to be en route to pattern company.
HAND OF GOD looked to be careering towards that sphere when winning both his starts in 2024. Quick enough to make all over a mile in the Esher Cup at Sandown, he then overcame being held wide with a dominant performance to take the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot. He clearly then met with a setback as we did not see him again until this spring.
He has shown signs of rustiness in those two starts, particularly on return at Newmarket, but ran perfectly well back at Royal Ascot when sixth over 12f and perhaps a strongly run 10f, like at Ascot last season will see him at his best. He ought to be in peak fitness now for today.
SEE THAT STORM has progressed through the ranks having only raced three times for Andrew Balding in the early 2024 All Weather season. Purchased for the Ed Bethell yard, the horse won all three of his starts on turf last season, all at this 10f trip.
He carried on where he left off at Redcar on his seasonal return, winning again in May. He was then just nosed out by Liberty Coach over the same C&D in the Zetland Cup. He was always bang there in contention when second on his first start here last month, and that prominent racing style is usually an advantage at York on fast ground.
Newmarket 4.35: Believing
This will be one of BELIEVING’s last races before giving birth as she is currently in foal, and she has a great chance of going out on a high in the July Cup.
Already a Group 1 winner this season, having won in Dubai in April, she was a little disappointing on her return to this country at Royal Ascot. However I am prepared to forgive her that effort as she was drawn right out on the wing and the race largely developed towards the other side.
There is a possibility she needs 6f now, at least on fast ground, so a return to this distance might well help. She was bang up there is some of the biggest sprints last season, such as the Nunthorpe at York and the Flying Five at the Curragh and enjoys bouncing off the fast ground.
Ascot 4.50: Redorange & Glamorous Breeze
The big races keep coming even near to 5pm and I have two fancies for the heritage handicap sprint at Ascot.
REDORANGE has obvious claims having come close in the Holyrood at the Royal meeting, winning his group. He is a very quick starter, which usually gives him a length advantage coming out the stalls, and he has the ability to maintain that to the finish.
He made use of a low draw and sharp track to win at Chester’s big meeting and was not beaten far at Sandown, where possibly the stiff finish played against him. The 5f track at Ascot is a bit sharper that longer races on the straight and he looks the class sprinter in the contest.
Although used to plying her trade at a much lower level, GLAMOROUS BREEZE is worth a look from a potentially favoured stands side draw.
The 7yo is in the form of her life, possibly because she is breaking better from the stalls, often a handicap in the past. She has finished off strongly to win at Chepstow and Haydock this season, having been beaten by a poor draw at Lingfield in between. Rather than being in the centre, the stalls are on the near rail today, which could prove a help to this mare.
Recommended bets:
1pt win – More Thunder– 2.50 Newmarket – 5/4 general
1pt each-way – Ten Pounds – 2.50 Newmarket – 17/2 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Hand of God – 3.10 York – 7/1 Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – See That Storm – 3.10 York – 13/2 Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 6)
1pt each-way – Believing – 4.35 Newmarket – 8/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Redorange – 4.50 Ascot – 5/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
0.5pts each-way – Glamorous Breeze – 4.50 Ascot – 25/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
