Last year’s renewal saw Heavens Guest take the Bunbury Cup crown, and maintain a trend of favourites being turned over in what is always a wide open contest. This year’s instalment is more competitive, and I am searching for value against the jolly once again.
The July Festival has been underscored by a number of front-running performances and it may pay to side with another who can attempt to dictate from the outset. Related outrun his odds of 50/1 at Royal Ascot when he finished three lengths behind Interception in the Wokingham. Related effectively raced on his own in the centre group with no cover and Tom Marquand (claiming 5lbs) will be looking to bounce out in front from stall six to set the pace. His handicap rating remains unchanged from that performance, and he stuck to his task well when others around him started to falter late on to finish 4th. This race requires another step up but he is one that will love this very quick ground and has trained on from four to five. If his stamina holds up the hill at Newmarket stepped back up to 7f (20% strike rate at 7f) then he is destined to run a big race.
I backed Ayaar at Royal Ascot and he disappointed although I think he is better than the bare form suggests and should be thereabouts. Heaven’s Guest is folly to rule out and is 2/2 at Newmarket’s July Festival, Chil the Kite ran a blinder at Royal Ascot albeit is weighted to the hilt, and Jallota who is back on the up could make it into contention if the 4lb rise hasn’t blunted his late-race speed.
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