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A BUMPER Saturday of racing with four big meetings up and down the country headed by Newmarket and the big race of the day, the Group One July Stakes at 4.35.

Little Big Bear resumes his rivalry with Shaquille after finishing a length and a quarter off that rival when second in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. However, I think he was ridden too much as a presser that day and I suspect that Ryan won’t be as forceful on the Ballydoyle charge in the opening exchanges. The fact that Aidan is happy with him following a slight bruising is enough to suggest that he will run his race and there will be little between the pair here.

However, I think that both will be trumped by AZURE BLUE if we get the showers that are forecast for the area. It is hard to know how good this grey filly is as she only just does enough in her races, winning a Listed contest at Newmarket by half a length and then coming late and fast to beat the classy Highfield Princess in the Duke of York Stakes in May. All she needs is safe ground to operate at her best, so Michael Dodds will be keeping a close eye on the skies. If she goes to post then she is a fascinating contender.

The Bunbury Cup Handicap (4.00) looks as competitive as ever with 20 runners set to go to post. Montassib has all the talent in the world, but looks a tricky horse, while previous winner Bless Him will surely be vulnerable to some up and coming improvers here. Awaal ran well when third in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, but I am not sure that the droop to seven furlongs is his thing and I shall be having an each-way play at a double figure price on SPANGLED MAC. The Scottish raider was fourth of 29 in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at the Royal meet, and then ran again on the Saturday when finding six furlongs a tad too short when coming home nicely eighth behind Saint Lawrence but only beaten by three lengths. As long as the ground remains on the fast side he looks vastly over priced.

The first and second in the opening handicap at Ascot (1.45) 12 months ago, Mountain Peak and Bond Chairman, renew rivalry. The winner is down in the weights this season after some moderate efforts while the runner-up comes here on the back of a winning seasonal debut at Doncaster. However, both will need career best efforts to land this Heritage Handicap in what looks a much deeper race than in 2022.

For example dual Wokingham winner Rohaan carries top weight off a mark of 110 and despite two poor efforts, albeit in better grade this season, he must be respected back on his favourite track, a remark that also applies to King’s Lynn. Old Arecibo is worth a special mention as he too has a good record here and the handicapper has at last given him a big chance off a mark of 97 and if the eight-year-old retains the majority of his ability and I think that he could well be worth a saver. Equilateral (5^th), Existent (9^th) and Raasel (10^th) all take a drop in grade after running well in the King’s Stand, but the selection makes more appeal. 

Last seen here over 7f in the Victoria Cup (too far) Jim Goldie’s charge, CALL ME GINGER, is already a C&D winner off 81 and has since run below par resulting in him being able to run off a 2lbs lower mark here. Fast ground and a rapid pace seem to be the key to him and if he can stay in touch early on then his blitz finish should see him in the mix at a price.

The feature Heritage Handicap at York (3.10) looks very competitive which is not surprising with the prize money on offer. To my eyes Sea of Casper had the run of the race when landing a class three at Lingfield Park last time out. However, this is only his ninth career start and there should be more to come from him, but in time I suspect an extra furlong and a half would suit. 

Veteran Certain Lad has run really well in the last two renewals of this race, too free last year when 11^th, but previously a cracking second to Sinjaari, but may be the assessor still has hold of him. I prefer the Godolphin charge, WHITE WOLF, who to my eyes hasn’t got home over 12 furlongs in the Duke of Edinburgh last time out (travelled powerfully through the race) and here in the Jorvik Handicap first time out this season. What this son of Invincible Spirit needs is a fast-run 10 furlongs with no jar in the ground. A mark of 101 looks very fair on what he has achieved and he is preferred at the relative prices to the Crisford rep and the unexposed Nobel trained by Andrew Balding.

In the two-mile handicap at 4.55, a medium class four event, there are several well handicapped entries that are open to consideration. Single hasn’t won since this time last year at Newmarket off a mark of 78 over a mile and three quarters. The mare has dropped down to the same mark and if she settles I fancy could play a part. Top weight, Land of Winter, didn’t get home over two and a quarter miles at Pontefract last time out after travelling well for most of the journey. Down to a mark of 81, the Newmarket raider could well be the biggest danger to SHARP DISTINCTION.

A maiden after 11 starts, that would be a good enough reason for many of you to ignore the claims of the selection. However, three runs over this trip have resulted in form figures of 223 and his comeback run at Kempton Park can be significantly upgraded as he was very free through the first half mile and then had to come off a moderate pace. There is almost certainly more to come from this four-year-old.

Fast Response is interesting on only his second start over seven furlongs in the Chester 4.27, fast ground wouldn’t have been his thing last time out, but with rain in the air he could play a major role if Billy Garritty can get him covered up in midfield. 

Witch Hunter won a nice handicap at Royal Ascot under an inspired ride from Spencer, but soft ground is a question mark as well as this uplift in grade so I am going to take a chance with HOLGUIN. He has been given some stiff tasks in his career including when a close-up sixth in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out and previously when twice placed behind the classy Cold Case, the second of which was in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar last back end. Seven furlongs around here could prove spot on if he can get a good sit from his inside draw in box number two.