The Wine Tipster: “This classy colt can become the first three-year-old to win the Bunbury Cup in 25 years”

THE final day of the Boodles July Festival features the highlight of the three days with the Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes Group 1, with the market headed by the Julie Camacho trained Shaquille.

His success at Royal Ascot in the Commonwealth Cup was remarkable, given he lost so much ground at the start and he can win here at the home of flat racing.

It has been a Boodles July Festival with many eye-catching high quality performances and we look forward to more on the final day of the July Festival 2023.

Enjoy whether at the Boodles July Festival or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster. 

2.15 Newmarket – Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap (7f)

Candle Of Hope probably hit the front a bit too early in the Sandringham, leading all of two furlongs out, and left herself vulnerable late on. All the same, she’s run a cracker there and a drop back to seven furlongs after the rain could prove ideal, and with Ryan Moore taking over, she looks the one to beat.

2.50 Newmarket – Mile Handicap (1m)

Royal Dubai had already looked useful in three runs on dirt, but he improved for the switch to turf at Chester on his fourth start, finishing second to the improving Saxon King. That form is working out well, the third a winner since (and in turn, that form has been franked) and the extra half-furlong can only be in his favour. A lot to like about his chance, with more improvement to come.

3.25 Newmarket – Superlative Stakes Group 2 (7f)

Haatem for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon was an excellent fifth to River Tiber in the Coventry finishing third overall in the far side group. The way he was sticking to the task late on suggests a seventh furlong isn’t going to be a problem; that’s backed up by his pedigree, being a half-brother to two seven furlong winners. Haatem is the one to beat, as long as he’s not inconvenienced by a high draw of stall 10.

4.00 Newmarket – Bunbury Cup Heritage Handicap (7f)

Streets Of Gold (nap) can become the first three-year-old to win the Bunbury Cup since Ho Leng 25 years ago in what is a Bunbury Cup field with so little recent winning form. Streets Of Gold was unbeaten as a two-year-old when winning five times and then ran rather disappointedly on seasonal debut when fifth to Isaac Shelvey at Newmarket. He has had a wind operation since and finished third in a Listed race at Epsom on Oaks Day when given a strange ride ahead of following up with a good third in the Jersey Stakes behind Age Of Kings. This classy colt is four pounds well in and has some smart entries for Goodwood and York.

Shining Blue is a smart performer and won well over this trip at York in May when eased in front. He then ran over a mile back at the Knavesmire when sent to the front too early and was overhauled by Chichester. Shining Blue is returning to seven furlongs and the July course could really suit him, whilst carrying top weight is not prohibitive to winning the Bunbury Cup.

4.35 Newmarket – Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes Group 1 (6f)

Shaquille was a brilliant winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when beating Little Big Bear easily by one and a quarter length, having lost an incredible five lengths at the start, which was some performance in a Group One. This three-year-old is progressing rapidly, having won well at Newmarket and Newbury respectively this season on a range of going. Rossa Ryan has come in for the ride on Shaquille for the Julie Camacho team who can secure another Group 1.