RYAN IS HOT TO TROT IN JULY CUP

The racing today is plentiful and is top notch, although I have to agree with Ryan Moore's Betfair blog in that Sunday, as a racing day, is deserted too much which leaves Saturday's chock-a-block with good meetings. Anyway, it is top quality fayre today, so the race previews are going to be a little brief.

In the main race at Newmarket, the July Cup, it may pay to side with horses who like softer ground. HOT STREAK will love the ground and will have a major chance if he can replicate his Temple Stakes performance whilst ASTAIRE could defy his big price, as he too has his ground. Having the top class Neil Callan back on board will only enhance his chances, 16/1 looks generous. Main dangers include Slade Power and Noozhoh Canarias, but the latter may struggle with underfoot conditions.

Astaire (centre) and Hot Streak (far right) contesting last years Middle Park Stakes

2:05 Newmarket- LEGENDS RISING will like the ground after running a respectable race in the Britannia at Royal Ascot as will MASTER THE WORLD, who could be well treated by the handicapper after being dropped three pounds following a solid run behind the progressive Roseburg at Haydock last time out.

Superlative Stakes- Past winners of this race have had two career runs, so they're the wins I've tried to pick out. LIEUTENANT KAFFEE impressed me when he won at Haydock. It appeared to be quite a hot, little race but he won it comfortably and could improve. SMAIH could also run well should he show the required progression from his Chepstow maiden win.

Bunbury Cup- Only one selection in this one, ABSOLUTELY SO. Ran no race at Ascot when well fancied but connections cited firm ground as the reason. Return to soft ground should bring out an improved performance, big chance.

York also hold a high class card with the John Smith's Cup being the highlight. The selection for the feature is TARIKHI, who ran well in competitive handicaps as a three year old and ran well on his reappearance as a four year old. He's nicely weighted, the right age to win this and is drawn high, where previous winners of this race have all been drawn. Zain Eagle is the main danger.

Tarikhi (blue)

2:20 York- Waila has a favourite's chance but AL SAHAM should also run well for the Boys in Blue. He would be hoping to complete the hat trick.

3:30 York- This race is probably between Kingsgate Native and G Force, although REROUTE is an extremely speedy filly and will love the firm ground. On her last run, she would not be good enough to win this although on her best form, she may give the market principals a scare.

Ascot have the Group 2 Summer Mile as their feature, where GUEST OF HONOUR should be able to improve on his third place in this race last year plus he has no Aljamaheer to contend with today, who is running in the July Cup. Mull of Killough was second last year, but his last couple of runs would suggest he may just fall short again.

Guest Of Honour (green hat)

1:55- It usually pays to follow high drawn horses in these cavalry charges at Ascot so the ever improving and apple of her trainers eye DEMORA and the possibly well handicapped BARNET FAIR being the selections. Barnet Fair has his ground and runs of the same mark as he did when winning at Ascot last year.

A couple for Salisbury later too, with KHEE SOCIETY (7:30) carrying a featherweight against horses with question marks against their names and ROSEHILL ARTIST (9:00) who has better ground today, a drop down in distance which will both help her out plus a return a course where from three runs she has recorded two wins and one third place from three runs their.

Fancy Brazil to come third tonight after their horror show against Germany. World Cup final thoughts tomorrow.

Have a good Saturday

Happy Punting!