Saturday’s racing centres around the Group 1 July Cup, the feature race of the final July meeting card at Newmarket.
GG tipster Joe Napier has four tips for the final day at Newmarket’s July meeting, including a Royal Ascot winner in the big race.
Newmarket Racing Tips (Saturday 11 July)
Newmarket’s July meeting concludes with its July Cup card on Saturday. We have four top tips to follow to end the festival.
2.15 Newmarket – Tarot (0.5pt e/w – 14/1)
Rank outsider Tarot might cause an upset in this fiellies’ handicap. Trainer Roger Varian’s yard are in good form, which could have been even better given three runner-ups by a margin of a neck in the past week. There is therefore every chance Tarot can improve significantly for her return at Chester. Drawn second widest over 6f on the Roodee, she could finish only seventh behind a reopposing winner. However, she improved throughout her juvenile season, winning on her fourth start. She also improved between her first and second runs at two, so she may well offer significantly more now, especially as she now appears to have the best draw, rather than one of the worst at Chester. Down 1lb and now race-fit, she can go much better here.
3.25 Newmarket – Great Acclaim (1pt e/w – 7/1)
Aalto was second behind a subsequent Group winner in this a year ago and is trending back into form. However, his second last time suggested he may not quite reach the same level a year on. There are two horses arriving on demonstrably kind marks here too in Elarak and Great Acclaim, with the latter preferred. The pair were second and third in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. With this race being an early closer, both can race off the same marks here. Great Acclaim gets the verdict to overturn form with Elarak, as he was less favoured in running and finishing the strongest. Eve Johnson Houghton’s consistent type can gain a deserved victory.
4.00 Newmarket – Al Hudaiba (1pt win – 5/2)
Aidan O’Brien won this with City Of Troy, but this has otherwise been a race dominated by Charlie Appleby. With the Godolphin yard having started the meeting strongly, Al Hudaiba can continue their fine record in this Group 2. The son of Dark Angel created headlines at Yarmouth when jinking and unseating Tom Marquand when in front at Yarmouth. That was on his second start under a penalty, but he made amends over course and distance last month. The runner-up gave him a race, but Al Hudaiba was nearly eight lengths clear of the third conceding 7lb and more all round. He is more than ready for the step up in class.
4.35 Newmarket – Almeraq (1pt e/w – 13/2)
With the international sprinters involved in the finish, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes likely ran up to a high level of form. As such, tit is surprising that Almeraq is the biggest price of the Royal Ascot sprint winners. The draw may be playing a part, with William Haggas’ charge in a lower berth than both Mission Central and Venetian Sun. However, he won the strongest race at the royal meeting and likely has as much improvement in him as any in this field. He and Tom Marquand swooped very late for glory that day. There should also be plenty of pace in this race though, courtesy of Ascot runner-up Satono Reve. The Japanese sprinter will likely be a big danger again, but is unlikely to improve again at the age of seven. Almeraq absolutely could do and looks a cracking each-way bet after a market drift.
