Best bets for the horse racing this weekend

There are a number of horses running on Saturday that I have talked of and backed before, I suppose I have been at this game for a while so it does happen every now and again! It’s actually a weekend full of action with good cards at Newmarket, Ascot, York, Chester and Hamilton here in the UK on Saturday. Sunday is quieter and I don’t fancy anything as it stands, plus there is a certain football match that I assume most of us will be watching. Anyway, the best for Saturday follow.  

Best bets for the horse racing at York

They face 1m6f at 2.20 for the Group Three John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes. Hukum has headed the market in the build-up following his third at Royal Ascot in the G.2 1m4f Hardwicke Stakes (tipped by me) and has every chance here tongue tied for the first time. He looked to be begging for a longer trip again that day, was fifth in the St Leger last season (again tipped by me) and I have the 9-4 about him galloping this field into the ground.

Best bets for the horse racing at Ascot  

At 3.00 they line-up for the Group Two one-mile Betfred Summer Mile Stakes on the round course and it’s a competitive race with Sir Busker and Top Rank both considered. Al Suhail is one I have tipped on a couple of occasions and he is still lightly raced for a four-year-old. He was tried in a couple of Group Ones in Dubai at the Carnival earlier this year and in truth it didn’t work out for him though his third in the Jebel Hatta aint bad form. He has been gelded on his return to the UK and if that concentrates the mind, would me, he may have a pound or two improvement in him yet. At 10-1 on Friday afternoon, I have taken a chance that he might nick this.  Charlie Appleby told the Godolphin website: “Al Suhail has shown us a lot of potential and we have been pleased with his homework going into this race. He was gelded after his run in the Dubai Turf and conditions look there to suit at Ascot, coming back to a mile with potentially some give in the ground.”

Best bets for day three of the Moët & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket

It is the final day of The July Festival, no need for marketing gimmicks today it is simply Darley July Cup Day. It’s a good card  

Royal Fleet is one I aint backed before, perhaps I should have as he is two from two, and the son of Dubawi goes for the hat-trick in the 2.40 Bet365 Mile Handicap over a mile. I have taken 6-4 on Friday as he looks a pretty solid bet looking the finished article when winning at Yarmouth last month.  

At 3.15 it is the 7f Group Two bet365 Superlative Stakes with some nice looking two-year-olds lining-up. Dhabab will be popular despite disappointing somewhat in the Coventry Stakes when favourite. He could get this trip at this stage but I am taking him on. I tipped Native Trail on debut when he won over seven at Sandown, putting the race to bed nicely quickening clear. The colt certainly looks a prospect and the yard has won three of the last five renewals of the race so know what it takes to win it! Charlie Appleby said this week “Native Trail won in stylish fashion on debut and has come forward mentally for that run. Our aim afterwards was always to go for this race and he has pleased us at home."  I have the rouf 4-1.  

The main event is at 4.25 the Group One 6f Darley July Cup Stakes. I think the he 6lb the three-year-olds get here could prove significant. I am reliably informed that the July Cup is the only Group 1 in the UK that has managed to evade a certain Mr Dettori so far and I think the wait will go on as Extravagant Kid looks unlikely to take it. Art Power has to be on the shortlist but he would surely like it a little softer. Dragon Symbol lost the Commonwealth Cup in the stewards’ room, I think a bit unluckily, and will be out to prove a point but connections may be disappointed again. Last season’s winner, Oxted, is another obvious danger. Creative Force has won me a couple of bob before including when winning last time at Ascot in the G.3 Jersey Stakes over 7f. The drop back to six doesn’t bother me (was ineligible for the Commonwealth Cup as he is a gelding) and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Buick make this a test as he stays that bit further.  Charlie Appleby said on the Godolphin website: “Dropping back to six furlongs isn’t a concern with Creative Force, who has come out of his Royal Ascot victory in great shape. He has shown his versatility this season both in terms of distance and ground. “He doesn’t win his races by far but keeps winning, and you can’t ask for more. He has progressed through the handicap system up to G3 company and we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on at this level.” Grab the 8-1.  

Lets hope it's a big day for Charlie Appleby and the team !

Be lucky