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THIS afternoon is a deep day of racing with top class meetings at Newmarket (July Cup), York (Magnet Cup) and at Ascot with the Summer Mile.

The first of those events, a Group One at Newmarket, may have a big field of 15, but very few of the runners are in reality genuine top class performers at Championship level or even close.

The exception is surely the supplemented favourite NOTABLE SPEECH (4.35) who was added to the field last week after putting in a sparkling piece of work last week at Headquarters.

He may be a 2,000 Guineas’ winner, but there is plenty in his blood lines to suggest that a drop in trip will not prove a hindrance to him. The fact that the six furlongs of this event is run on a stiff track on fast ground are two further reasons to believe he will deal with this drop in distance more than adequately.

The best of his 14 rivals is probably Whistlejacket, trained by Aidan O’Brien. Winner of the July Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago, the son of No Nay Never hasn’t really taken a big step forward since then, his outstanding run a Listed success in the Committed Stakes at the beginning of the season. He was however unlucky in the run in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, although I suspect that wasn’t a great renewal.

The big supporting race is the Bunbury Cup, a handicap over seven furlongs and many will be putting More Thunder in their multiple and acca bets as he steps back up to seven furlongs after finishing well from miles off the pace in the Wokingham Handicap at the Royal meet.

There is little doubt in my mind that he needs a bit more give in the ground and in any case I would be happy to see him win at around 13/8 and not be onside.

It is rare that there are less runners in this handicap than in the July Cup, but that is the case this year with 13 set to go to post and in BILLYJOH (2.50) at around 20/1 we have a nice each-way player in our possession. Riding this five-year-old is a fine art as he has to be delivered at exactly the right time, as he has one short run to put that rapid turn of foot to good use. 

His regular partner Frederick Larson is on board again and I think he was outridden by David Nolan on Akkadian Thunder two outings back at Doncaster but will have a 4lbs turnaround for a length and a half defeat. The selection arguably has a better draw in six, his rival is in 12, and if Larson times his run right I suspect he will be a massive player in this class two handicap.

Elsewhere on the card, RAAFEDD (3.25) can make up for a moderate run in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot by landing the Mile Handicap off the same mark. Thought of as a possible 2,000 Guineas horse at the beginning of the year, he can start making up for lost time here.

There is a cracking card at York today and the big betting race will be the Magnet Cup at 3.10. Archivist will be the choice of many following his strong staying success over a mile here last month. His breeding suggests this extra two and a half furlongs won’t be a problem and a 5lbs penalty probably underestimates his ability.

However, with the enhanced place terms from most bookmakers, I think the value call has to be with HAVE SECRET now that Richard Fahey’s stable have hit form. The five-year-old simply didn’t handle the undulations at Epsom last time out and he is taken improve on his staying on fifth in this race 12 months ago. 

The likes of Hand of God (down in trip after travelling well over 12f at Royal Ascot last time out) and Fox Legacy are respected. The last named is only just reaching his physical maturity being a big fine specimen of a race horse. The former had a rushed preparation for the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap and looked likely to be involved in the finish, turning for home before a mix of lack of condition and the mile and a half trip took its toll on him. He has reportedly worked well in the lead up to this big handicap.

SAMUI (3.45) may land the Group Three Silver Cup for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott. He got going way too late in the Queen Alexandra last time out, but a strong pace over this trip, probably made by himself will suit down the long home stretch here.

The biggest field of the day is the 20-runner six furlong handicap which ends the card at 5.25. Juan Le Pins is arguably the best treated horse in the race and showed his turn was around the corner when eye catching fifth last time out, but in an ideal world I think he would prefer at least some give which leads me in the direction of ROCK OPERA. 

Nicely drawn in stall five, he was drawn on the wrong side of the course 12 months ago and showed last time out at Haydock Park he was ready to strike. He gets the nod over the veteran Aberama Gold who runs off his lowest handicap mark since way back in 2019.

At Ascot, NEVER SO BRAVE (2.22) can win the battle of the big handicap winners at the Royal meeting. The Buckingham Palace hero is given the nod over the Royal Hunt Cup winner My Cloud as he tries this trip for the very first time in the Group Two Summer Mile Stakes.

CLOCKMAKER (2.57) didn’t stay two miles last time out, while arguably the best bet on the card could come in the form of JAKAJARO (4.50). He is taken to reverse recent Newcastle form with Paddy Turn now that he has a 10lbs turnaround in the weights for being beaten a length and three-quarters.