York 2:35
Washington Heights
S Gray, K Ryan
Washington Heights looks the one to beat in today’s John Smith’s City Walls Stakes over 5f at York. The five-year-old holds a hefty wealth of top-level sprinting form, including a Group win at Ascot last season, and most recently ran a strong fourth in the swing at Ascot in June. Now dropped into Listed company and racing off a competitive mark, he combines raw speed with proven consistency. The return to sprint distances, on good-to-firm ground and with Simon Gray booked once more, plays to his strengths. Washington Heights brings class, experience, and track familiarity, making him the standout against this field and poised for a big run.
Newmarket 2:50
More Thunder
T Marquand, W Haggas
More Thunder lights up the Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap, 7f) at Newmarket, arriving in top fighting form. He’s narrowly missed completing a hat-trick, finishing a fast-closing second in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, where he stayed on relentlessly over 6f, and that strong stamina display makes the step up to 7f ideal. Now rated 98 and well treated, he looks set to build on that effort—his proven blend of speed and endurance makes him dangerous in this mile-turn sprint. With Tom Marquand in the saddle again and William Haggas’s yard going well at this meeting, More Thunder ticks all the boxes: current form, suitable trip, and rising confidence. Expect a bold late charge in a race tailor-made for his strengths.
Newmarket 3:25
Bedouin Prince
W Buick, C Appleby
Bedouin Prince looks the one to beat in the bet365 Mile Handicap at Newmarket. The three-year-old arrives in peak form, having powered to victory on the Rowley Mile here in May and already proven he acts well at this track. Now rated 100, the handicapper’s mark accurately reflects that smart performance, leaving him well in contention despite carrying a penalty. William Buick sticks with the mount, a pairing that carried them to success previously, and Good to Firm ground on the July Course should enable him to show his best. Bedouin Prince combines class, course experience, and sharp form—he’s primed for another bold showing today.
York 3:45
Al Qareem
C Lee, K Burke
Al Qareem heads into the John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes over 1m 6f at York in top form and looks the one to beat. The six-year-old ran out a commanding winner of the Listed Grand Cup here just a month ago, showing a strong cruising speed and a decisive finish—his turn of foot was eye-catching. Rated 114 and dropping slightly in class, he remains well treated for this level and brings an excellent attitude for this exact test. Drawn prominently and partnered again by Clifford Lee, he ticks every box: proven course prowess, class above most of the field, and race fitness. Expect Al Qareem to take all the beating again this afternoon.
Newmarket 4:00
Italy
R Moore, A O’Brien
Italy stands out as the standout in the bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2, 7f) at Newmarket. The promising juvenile impressed on debut at Leopardstown with a polished performance—defeating a rival who later placed in the Listed Chesham—which points to a sharp ability to handle pattern-class company. Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Italy brings a top-level pairing into a small, high-quality field. With the early experience advantage, a strong galloping style, and the confidence of pattern-race form, he ticks all the boxes to deliver another bold showing in the main Newmarket feature.
Newmarket 4:35
Believing
B Loughnane, G Boughey
Believing looks both class and consistency personified in this year’s July Cup at Newmarket. The five-year-old mare brings elite form to the line, highlighted by her Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint win in Dubai and marked consistency with a recent 11th in the King Charles III Stakes—effort that can be forgiven given a low draw. Rated at the top of the handicap list and racing off favoured ground, she combines class, speed, and suitability, while Billy Loughnane’s booking underlines the connections’ confidence in her. With standout sprinting form and ideal prep, Believing ticks every box and looks rock-solid to hit the ground running.
Ascot 4:50
Redorange
D Probert, C Cox
Redorange looks well primed for a big run in the LK Bennett Butterfly Mark Heritage Handicap over 5f at Ascot. Stepping out against top-class sprinters, he delivered a fine effort when scoring over course and distance during Royal Ascot week, smartly finishing his race in traffic and proving much the best of the lower-drawn group. Now rated 99, he remains theoretically well positioned despite a 4lb rise, and with conditions expected to remain good to firm, his low draw and sharp turn of foot should serve him well. With David Probert aboard and Clive Cox’s stable in excellent form, Redorange ticks all the boxes and looks set to run another bold race here.