Villeneuve to Zoom Home at HQ

Before I crack on with some early thoughts regarding the up-coming July meeting at Newmarket I take a look back at last week’s action, with the undoubted highlight being Nathaniel’s scintillating reappearance win in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown.

Nathaniel was the latest big race win for the all-conquering team of John Gosden and William Buick who also struck gold in the Lancashire Oaks with the fast improving filly Great Heavens. Providing Nathaniel recovers from his Sandown exertions in time, he will bid for a follow up success in the King George at Ascot in a fortnight and considering he will be stepping back up to his optimum trip of 12 furlongs I can see him being very hard to beat.

The Newmarket July meeting gets under way on Thursday and I have been scouring the declarations in the hope of finding some value bets to pay for the summer holidays.

My first selection is Villeneuve in the Piper-Heidsieck EBF Fillies Handicap at 1.20 on Friday. William Muir’s filly has always been held in some regard by her handler and despite not setting the world alight in her juvenile career, she did face some very stiff tasks. This season there have been definite signs that she is finally starting to show her true talent with the strongest signal coming on her latest start in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, where she travelled as well as anything until the petrol ran out over the stiff mile and she weakened to finish 4th. Dropping back to 7 furlongs, which I think is her optimum trip and downgraded in class, I will be very surprised if Villeneuve isn’t very competitive off her mark of 93 provided she takes her chance.

Saturday’s show-piece is the July Cup over 6 furlongs and I am convinced this will be the day when Bated Breath finally gains that elusive Group One. Nobody could deny that Roger Charlton’s ultra consistent sprinter deserves his day in the sun following several near misses at the top table including in last year’s renewal when he lost out close home to Dream Ahead. I’m convinced this year’s renewal isn’t as strong and at around 3/1 I’m a backer not a layer.

The Judge’s Big Bets

Newmarket
Friday 1.20 Villeneuve 3pts EW
Saturday 2.40 Bated Breath 3pts WIN