Newmarket trainers look ahead to big races on day one of July Festival
The Moët & Chandon July Festival gets under way in Newmarket this afternoon.
The Group 1 action will take place tomorrow and Saturday, but there is still some decent racing to feast on at the July Course today.
Below, some of Newmarket's big-named trainers have been discussing their best chances of victory, courtesy of myracing.com.
1.50pm Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3)
Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Stowell
"He ran a great race considering he was shuffled wide in the Queen's Vase. He shapes as if this track will suit him and he won't mind the ground."
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Yibir
"He has some great form in the book this season but has been a bit frustrating, which is why he has been gelded since his last run.
"If he can return to the level of form he showed at Sandown, it's going to make him very competitive."
2.25pm Tattersalls July Stakes (Group 2)
Hugo Palmer, trainer of Dig Two and Ebro River
"I think it's the right race for both horses. Dig Two was off the bridle a long way out in the Windsor Castle.
"The faster the ground the better for him, but if it got really rattling we might contemplate waiting for Goodwood with Ebro River.
"The Coventry didn't work out for him so I think his run can be marked up – he ran a big race with everything developing away from him.
Thady Gosden, joint trainer of Tolstoy
"He was stuck out on the wing in the Coventry at Royal Ascot last time so couldn't really get involved. He's come out of that in great shape and he should enjoy the likely fast ground.
3pm Heritage Handicap (3yo)
Roger Varian, trainer of Boomshala
"He's trained nicely since his good run at Ascot. It's always a competitive race but the return to six furlongs will be in his favour."
Stuart Williams, trainer of Akkeringa
"Obviously we're 3lb out of the handicap and up in the weights after his win at Newmarket last time, which makes it difficult, but he's come out of the race well. We know the conditions should suit."
3.35pm Princess of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes (Group 2)
William Haggas, trainer of Al Aasy
"He's in good form after Epsom and is ready to race again. It was a good run to finish second in the Coronation Cup and I hope he can prove that at Newmarket.
"Hopefully the ground won't be too firm but it shouldn't be. We're expecting lovely summer ground."
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Star Safari
"Star Safari put up some progressive performances in Dubai earlier in the year, winning the Dubai Millennium Stakes and running well in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
"We felt that this was a nice starting point for him ahead of some potential targets in Europe."
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