If the weather forecast is close to accurate, the fast ground will not last at Newmarket until Saturday so hopefully it is not hock-deep for the July Cup.
Presumably Kevin Ryan has now been convinced that The Grey Gatsby is a ten furlong horse and it has been confirmed to Mark Johnston that Lumiere just had an off-day in the 1000 Guineas and she can win some decent mile prizes.
With so much soft ground form around (most of Royal Ascot useless), it is hard to find much to be confident about at HQ.
Makfi filly Bletchley ran a cracking second to Brave Anna in the Albany (Kilmah behind) but some confidence can be taken in her ability because she won on fast ground on debut, albeit unfancied in either of her starts. Nasimi won on her debut on easy ground, beating Nations Alexander, who in turn has beaten Somebody To Love. Unpenalised Group 3 winner Roly Poly cannot be discounted and the two maiden race winners Asidious Alexander and Soul Silver are unknowns, so since the favourite is too short to bet this will be a race for the notebook.
It is a shame that Euro Charline is not taking her chance after her good second in the Lockinge, but Andre Fabre’s raider Usherette looks the one to beat. Amazing Maria won this last term but has shown little of that spark in two efforts to date, well behind Tepin at Ascot and behind the favourite at Newmarket. Always Smile was behind Mickael Barzalona’s mount at Ascot, so unless the fast ground proves her undoing, the Godolphin filly should land the odds.
Looks like I will have to look elsewhere for a Friday punt...