Nick Luck’s blog: No need to Umm and ah about the Summer Stakes

It’s day two of the July Meeting and our in-form tipster Nick Luck is back with his selections from HQ and a couple from York thrown in for good measure.

Newmarket

NOLTON CROSS can take the TV opener at 14/1 on Day 2 of the July Festival at Newmarket (1.50pm). He looked desperately unlucky not to beat War Horse on quick ground at Sandown earlier in the season and was well fancied to go in at the Derby meeting. He patently failed to handle the track that day, however, and was always on the back foot after missing the break. This big field and fast ground should suit, and he is well worth another chance.

LEZOO can follow up her recent course and distance win at 5/2 in the Duchess of Cambridge (2.25pm). I loved the way she hit the line that day, running down a very smart filly in Malrescia, whose only defeat came behind Dramatised. Maylandsea (also second to Dramatised) will be a tough opponent, but there’s very little in it to my eye, and the prices dictate the selection.

CANDLEFORD won’t win any prizes for originality, but at 10/3 can back up the Ascot win even off nearly a stone higher (3.00pm). Connections must think he’s heading to good group races sooner rather than later to risk blowing his Ebor mark here, though they have also expressed the view that he is happier going round a right-hand bend. There is a strong chance on pedigree that he will improve for a further step up in trip and there are no worries about the ground.

PRIMO BACIO makes a bit of appeal at 14/1 if any mishap should befall Inspiral in the Falmouth (3.35pm). In a very strong running of this last year, she was arguably pretty unlucky not to win or go very close, confirming the sparkling impression she had earlier created at York. She really hasn’t had the rub of the green since and was threatening to fall off the radar. But she ran much better at Ascot last time when not fully ready, and she has her absolute optimum conditions on this sharper track today. I make her a clear second choice, and as such warrants a bet at the current odds.

York

FORZA ORTA should run a nice race at 10/3 in the first of two televised races at York, having been running well in better races of late (2.05pm), while UMM KULTHUM makes a bit of each way appeal at 14/1 in the Summer Stakes (2.40pm) having been outclassed in the Platinum Jubilee – she’s too big a price back against fillies.