15:00 Newbury

This looks a high class renewal of the Hackwood Stakes and a chance is taken on ELITE STATUS (best priced at 3/1) who had to miss the Commonwealth Cup at the eleventh hour with a knocked joint. The Karl Burke trained colt was an impressive winner of the National Stakes at Sandown last season by five lengths before winning the Prix de Cabourg at this level a year ago. 

Elite Status finished well beaten behind Vandeek on his next two starts at Group 1 level but bounced back to form winning the Carnarvon Stakes over this course and distance on his reappearance. He beat race-fit rivals Relief Rally and Adaay In Devon easily by 2 ¾ lengths that day breaking the course record and he should hold strong claims in this race.

16:20 Newmarket

The Tom Tate trained EQUIANO SPRINGS (best priced at 5/1) has an impressive record at Newmarket throughout his career and he returns here following a good run at Haydock last time. The ten-year-old is a six-time winner over 6f at both Newmarket tracks including when winning this race last season off a mark of 79. He ended last season with a close 3rd on the Rowley Mile off a mark of 81 before slightly disappointing on his first two starts this season.

Sent off 66/1 last time at Haydock, Equiano Springs was only beaten ½ length that day off a mark of 77 and is now off his last winning mark of 79 in this race. With up to four places available on this race, he looks sure to be involved in the finish. 

18:00 Newmarket

Red Hat Eagle is respected in his hat-trick bid but preference instead goes to DUTCH DECOY (best priced at 4/1) who now drops into this Class 4 0-85 handicap off top weight. The Charlie Johnston trained seven-year-old is unbeaten on the July course with three course and distance successes including this race last season off a mark of 90. 

Dutch Decoy is winless so far this season but he did finished a close 2nd on two starts on the Rowley Mile at the start of the year off marks of 92 on both occasions. The handicapper has dropped him 6lbs for his latest two defeats at Royal Ascot and Hamilton which seems lenient and he now drops in class into this 0-85 handicap off a mark of 87.