Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill Blog: Newmarket July Festival Day Two Best Bets
William Hill Ambassador Nick Luck returns with his best bets for day two of Newmarket’s July Festival, as well as the two televised races from York.
Friday, Newmarket
LAUREATE CROWN can make amends for his ill fortune at Ascot in the Day Two opener at Newmarket’s July Festival (1.50pm). He was poorly positioned throughout, being too far back and on the wrong part of the track. In the circumstances, he did very well to finish where he did and should enjoy this track.
LIBERTANGO should be mighty hard to beat in the Duchess Of Cambridge (2.25pm). She was seriously impressive in the Albany despite finding traffic, and it will be disappointing if she’s not simply too good for these. Jolivette has potential to do a lot better than her ninth place in that race and may give her the most to think about.
BEYLERBEYI was my fancy in the Ascot Stakes off this mark, and I thought he did very well as things panned out. A drop back to this distance in the Trophy Handicap (3.00pm) will suit well, as he’ll be granted a stronger pace off which to relax somewhat. The stable has a great record in these races, particularly at this meeting.
BALANTINA might be good enough to give Precise a fright in the Falmouth (3.35pm). She looked smart when darting up the inner to win at Del Mar last year, and that dash of tactical speed should work really well on this track. She should have come on quite considerably for her run behind the favourite in the Coronation Stakes, and this specialist miler can get a good bit closer this time.
Friday, York
NORTHERN EXPRESS is the each-way pick in the first of two televised races from York (2.10pm). He’s sliding down to a very fair mark and shaped nicely last time out on the July course. All things considered, he loves it at York and should be competitive again.
FITZELLA looks to hold strong claims in the Summer Stakes (2.45pm). She did much the best of those that raced right on the pace in the Commonwealth Cup and could be dangerous back on a flat track at the same distance.
