Who To Follow At Newmarket On Day Three Of The July Cup Meeting

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Fri 14 Jul 2023 08.59

Newmarket (July) 15:35

9(9)

Shaquille

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Julie Camacho

N/A

Age: 3

Weight: 9-2

OR: 117

Days: 22

The feature event of the entire meeting at Newmarket on Saturday is the Group One July Cup Stakes and Shaquille is the horse to beat for Julie Camacho.

A winner on career debut at York over 7f, he then went back over the same C&D in the Group Three Acomb Stakes and was totally outclassed finishing last of nine in a race that has produced some nice winners.

Dropped to 6f back at York in October he resumed winning ways taking a Novice Stakes under a penalty and then in December made it 2/2 at Wolverhampton in a AW Championships Fast Track Qualifier over 6f.

Sent into handicap company for the first time at Newmarket's Guineas meeting, he powered away from a decent field to score off a mark of 94.

Given a chance when last seen in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes, he stepped up again to take the race from the front beating star sprinters Desert Cop, Aesop's Fable and Noble Style.

Last seen at Royal Ascot in the Group One Commonwealth Cup, he took his form to a new level to see off superstar Little Big Bear and land his first Group One event.

What made the performance even better was him losing five lengths at the start of the race having fell out the stalls, so if flying the stalls he should make his task much easier if being in the same form.

A horse on the up that does not look like stopping.

Leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien sends three runners to Newmarket on Saturday starting in the opening Maiden Fillies' Stakes and Content although disappointing last time out can bounce back to form in calmer waters.

One of his best chances of the day comes in the Group Two Superlative Stakes with City Of Troy at the top of the market after his highly impressive debut.

To finish the afternoon he fields the superstar sprinter Little Big Bear, who if is 100% fit and ready can go close at what is a big price for his ability.

O'Brien heads into the meeting sporting a strike rate of 24% for the last two weeks, managing to land 10 winners from his last 42 runners.

Leading 3lb claimer Adam Farragher has some lovely chances across the card at Newmarket on Saturday which makes him the jockey to follow.

Starting in the Fillies' Maiden he teams up with Gay Kelleway on Duely Spiced who was a good second on debut and hopefully for him can improve for that run.

One of his better chances of the afternoon comes in the Class 2 Handicap over 7f and Desert Voice for William Haggas is looking for a hat-trick.

He rides for Mr Haggas again in the bet365 Mile Handicap on board Tafreej for Shadwell Estate and having won well last time out, there is no reason he can't do it again.

The rider then gets the leg up on First Folio in the Bunbury Cup with him needing to improve and to finish the afternoon he rides Prosper Legend who was a winner two starts back.