July meeting gets underway

The July meeting at Newmarket got underway on Thursday and it proved to be an advantage to race handily. Group 1 winning juvenile Ancient Wisdom got his career back on track when winning the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy - trainer Charlie Appleby registering his third win in the last four years in the one mile five contest - by a length and three quarters. Runner-up behind Economics in the Dante Stakes at York in May, the son of Dubawi finished a distant eighth in the Epsom Derby next time. Reappearing here, William Buick's mount dictated throughout before staying on well to defeat his three opponents comfortably. The St Leger is very much the goal, although he is expected to tackle the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York en route. The disappointment of the race was Space Legend who trailed in last of four. William Haggas' runner got warm beforehand and was held up during the early stages. In trouble before the two marker, his effort petered out. Even allowing for the fact he wasn't well positioned, this was too bad to be true and perhaps the race came too soon after his exploits at Royal Ascot.

Subscribers to the Royal Ascot Update will be aware that Whistlejacket was selected in the Norfolk Stakes. Unfortunately, Aidan O'Brien's colt found the minimum trip too sharp finishing fourth behind Shareholder. The No Nay Never colt returned to six furlongs for the Group 2 July Cup and proved too strong for his rivals making all and winning decisively by a length and three quarters. Despite edging to his left inside the final furlong, the Ballydoyle runner was much the best. A full brother to Group 1 winning stablemate Little Big Bear, the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (10th August) looks an obvious target, a race his older sibling won two years ago. 

Elsewhere, John and Thady Gosden introduced a smart looking juvenile at Doncaster with Chancellor scoring by four and three quarter lengths - he was the yard's first two year old winner of 2024. A colt by Frankel out of Breeders Cup winner Queen's Trust, the Cheveley Park Stud owned runner wasn't the quickest into stride but quickened up well towards the stands side before pulling clear. The six furlongs contest has been won in recent times by subsequent Pattern race winners James Garfield (2017) and Mill Stream (2022) and he looked of a similar ilk here. It is possible something like the Group 2 Solario Stakes at Sandown (31st August) could be a target next month - John Gosden has won the seven furlongs prize on six occasions. 

Twenty four hours earlier, stablemate Mutaawid (100/30) got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in the twelve furlongs novice stakes at Kempton. Featured in the Unraced Three Year Olds section in AOTF, the well bred son of Frankel relished the step up in trip, plus he was fitted with blinkers for the first time. A relation of Group 1 winners Mostahdaf and Nazeef, he travelled smoothly throughout before being pushed clear to win hard held by six lengths. Rated 84 beforehand, he could develop into a Melrose Stakes horse at York next month, although his stamina will have to be taken on trust.