13:30 Newmarket

Leg 1 Selections: BLUE MISSILE, RUNNING LION

This is a difficult race to assess but BLUE MISSILE is related to some high-class horses and makes plenty of appeal on paper for the William Haggas team. She’s no doubt going to get a mile at some point but she’s interesting over this trip on debut.

RUNNING LION, a daughter of the high-class Roaring Lion, has an excellent pedigree and is from a top yard, who do well with newcomers. If the market speaks in her favour, she could pose a threat, especially if she’s as good as her background indicates.

14:05 Newmarket

Leg 2 Selections: TRUELY ACLAIMED, MISS CAROL ANN

TRUELY ACLAIMED has taken her form to a new level this year, in which she placed three times prior to completing a double at York and Ripon. I acknowledge this race is a lot tougher, but she’s genuine, is getting better with each start and has only gone up four pounds for her latest victory. She’s of some interest.

MISS CAROL ANN hasn’t made much of an impact in three subsequent starts, finishing midfield in each of them since winning on debut, but Roger Varian’s participant should find this a lot easier on handicap debut and an opening mark of 93 doesn’t seem inconceivable either. With more to offer, she should go well in this grade.

14:40 Newmarket

Leg 3 Selections: JIMI HENDRIX, LAWFUL COMMAND

A lot of these can be given some sort of a chance but JIMI HENDRIX ran a remarkable race from the front when third in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot and his performance can be uplifted as he fared best of those who were up with the pace. If ridden with more restraint here, he could outclass these off a mark that’s within range on the balance of his latest form.

LAWFUL COMMAND wasn’t far behind the former when fifth in the Britannia Stakes too despite racing keenly and had won four of his previous five starts beforehand. He can be a seriously tough horse to pass from the front, so if he can continue his good run of form, he’s surely going to be in the frame at the very least in this race.

15:15 Newmarket

Leg 4 Selections: LION OF WAR

Leg four is a cracking Group Two event with three unbeaten colts crossing swords. However, LION OF WAR took off like a plane on the runway when outclassing his rivals by ten lengths at Newcastle last time under a penalty and that performance was backed up by a good time-figure too.

At this stage, I’m not sure what the form is worth but he couldn’t have won any easier and on the basis of that display, he looks more than ready for the step up in grade here. Victory Dance also looked a high-class prospect in the making on debut but the former has more experience and can make it three from three.

15:50 Newmarket

Leg 5 Selections: MONTASSIB

The Bunbury Cup is a minefield, but I’ll try to keep this simple and have just the one runner on our ticket in the form of MONTASSIB who ran a cracker to finish fifth in the Buckingham Palace last time from a bad draw in stall one. I thought that was an excellent effort for a horse having just his fourth career start and there should have plenty more improvement in the locker.

Having watched the replay back of that competitive handicap, there’s every indication to suggest he might have won with a clear passage, as he had his run checked twice when beginning to mount a stern challenge. He’s drawn low again here in stall six, but he remains on the same mark of 97, which is lenient, and if he gets a clear run at things this time, he could gain compensation as he looks a pattern-class performer in the making.

16:25 Newmarket

Leg 6 Selections: ARTORIUS, CADAMOSTO

The final leg, is the feature race, the July Cup, and I like the Aussie-raider ARTORIUS, who charged home to be nearest the finish in third in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He did well to get as close as he did, as he was well off the pace a furlong out but weaved his way through the field to be beaten less than a length and may have won without getting blocked off at a crucial part of the race which forced Spencer to come round a couple of rivals. He would have learnt a lot that day as it was his first trip to the UK and, if they go a strong gallop here, he’s a major player.

Aidan O’Brien has won this five times in the past and his only runner in this year’s line-up CADAMOSTO has to enter calculations. He improved for the application of first-time blinkers in the Commonwealth Cup when fourth, staying on strongly despite drifting right slightly. He will need to keep a straighter line here but the headgear is retained and there’s a chance this course and stiff finish will play more to his strengths. If he can eke out a bit more improvement, he looks attractive value to at least reach the frame and eliminate some tickets.