Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from the second day of the 2024 Newmarket July Festival and the best of the rest from York.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 – ROYAL POWER 7/2
ROYAL POWER is trained by Charlie Appleby and can make a winning handicap debut. Did well when third in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood following seven months off and this opening mark could be workable.
Progressive recent course and distance winner Rebaatt can remain competitive off this revised mark up in grade.
Chantilly finished eighth tackling a fierce Royal Ascot handicap last time. Not to be discounted dropping in distance revisiting softer ground.
Race 2 – HEAVENS GATE 14/10
A fascinating renewal of the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes can go the way of Heavens Gate.
The daughter of Churchill was second on debut in a Navan maiden before coming on from that run when comfortably beating fellow Ballydoyle inmate January at the Curragh.
That earned her a shot in Group company and she led into the final furlong in the Albany Stakes but found stablemate Fairy Godmother too good and had to settle for third after also being headed by Simmering.
Mountain Breeze finished behind her that day in fourth and Heavens Gate can confirm that form with a trip to the winner’s enclosure at HQ.
Race 3 – FOX JOURNEY 11/2
Not a lot went right for FOX JOURNEY when he was well-beaten in a competitive Royal Ascot handicap last month though not beaten far in the end.
Won tackling this trip on the Rowley Mile here in May and retains plenty of potential so could bounce back.
Tides Of War brings plenty of smart form and makes the shortlist after his hard-fought reappearance victory over 1m6f at Goodwood.
Fairbanks finished sixth contesting a Royal Ascot handicap and could appreciate going back up in journey, while Bague D’Or is one of many with each-way claims.
Race 4 – PORTA FORTUNA 91/100
PORTA FORTUNA can follow up her Royal Ascot victory with a third Group One success in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes.
The daughter of Caravaggio enjoyed a smart juvenile campaign last season when she won her maiden at the Curragh before going on to claim Group Three success at Naas.
That booked her a trip to the Royal meeting where she struck at the same level in the Albany Stakes.
Porta Fortuna then stepped up to Group One class and was beaten four lengths by Bucanero Fuerte in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh before chasing home Fallen Angel and Vespertilio in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
She finally got her Group One success when holding off Pearls And Rubies in the Cheveley Park to book a date in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, where she was beaten by just half a length to end an impressive juvenile campaign.
On her return to action, Donnacha O’Brien’s charge went down by just a neck to Elmalka in the 1000 Guineas before reversing that form when taking over the lead inside the final furlong to beat Opera Singer and land the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot – and another Group One is there for the taking.
Race 5 – MOTHECOMBE 13/2
William Buick sides with the nicely-bred newcomer MOTHCOMBE which could prove telling and looks set to make a winning debut.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Mount Kilimanjaro appeared in need of the experience when fifth tackling this trip at Leopardstown on debut during May. In the mix with a significant step forward expected.
Field Of Gold ran well behind two nice horses first time out at Doncaster and must be respected representing leading connections.
The expensive Charlie Appleby trained Royal Officer can build on a fair debut fifth at Sandown.
Race 6 – METABOLT 13/2
The in-form METABOLT always looked to be doing enough holding on by a neck over 1m at Windsor. May complete a hat-trick with soft ground to suit.
Zouzanna showed up well when third tackling this trip at Newbury last time and should be considered.
Last start course and distance runner-up Waiting All Night cannot be ruled out off this rating.
Ezra Cee remains unexposed and warrants thought after he returned from seven months off with a neck victory attempting 6f at Windsor.
Race 7 – NO HALF MEASURES 9/4
The booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye for No Half Measures and he can get back to winning ways after finishing third in a Royal Ascot handicap last month.
We didn’t learn much about Good Good Good when he followed up in a match-race at Leicester but he looks like a nice prospect and commands the utmost respect with further progress expected on his handicap bow.
Almaty Star was a close-up third over 5f at Chelmsford earlier in the month and he should go well back on the turf.
Isle Of Lismore makes plenty of each-way appeal.
YORK
Race 1 – QUEST FOR FUN 7/1
Course and distance winner QUEST FOR FUN confirmed conditioning when second here last month and is raised 1lb for that effort. Remains competitively-handicapped and has a solid chance.
Tolstoy supplied this inexperienced rider with a first winner scoring over course and distance in June before edging out the main selection to win again the following day.
Climbs 5lb higher as a consequence and it would be dangerous to rule out as he continuing to improve.
Race 2 – RAQUIYA 7/1
Raqiya seeks to score at Group Three level for the first time in the William Hill Summer Stakes and the Owen Burrows-trained charge can make the trip north from Lambourn worthwhile.
The three-year-old enjoyed back-to-back wins at Salisbury and Haydock during her juvenile campaign before she ended the season finishing fifth of nine as she stepped up to this class in the Firth of Clyde at Ayr.
Her seasonal reappearance at Salisbury saw her land the Listed Cathedral Stakes by a neck from Funny Story to set her up for another crack at Group level – and this time she can prevail.
