Newmarket

2.05 Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap 7f

Golden Spice was poorly drawn when mid-field in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, while she also raced freely stepping up to a mile, and it’s very easy to mark up that effort, which showed her still to be at the top of her game.

She still looks on a fair mark based on her overall form, including an easy success at Leicester in May, where she beat Quick Change despite conceding that filly 7lb.

Quick Change won her next start at Haydock, and the filly she beat has also scored an easy handicap success since then. She ought to get an easy lead again here, and looks the value despite meeting some unexposed rivals.

2.40 Bet365 Mile Handicap 1m

Jimi Hendrix was much improved when third in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, and his run style there suggests he will be better suited by Newmarket, where it’s possible to steal a couple of lengths heading down into the dip. That was his first handicap, and he’s likely to progress again.

When Ralph Beckett’s colt won on his handicap debut at Doncaster, he still looked to be learning, so the extra experience he gained with that fine run from the front at Ascot should stand him in good stead.

It’s hard to believe he won’t progress again, and he’s sure to go well.

3.15 Bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) 7f

Victory Dance was odds-on for his course-and-distance debut last month, but looked in need of the run for experience and did well to win in the circumstances. He’ll improve plenty for that, and he has a similar profile to Native Trail, who won this last year for the same connections.

Native Trail was also odds-on when winning on his debut at Sandown last year, but like Victory Dance, he needed time to realise what was required of him before running out an impressive winner.

Timeform raised Native Trail 22lb from his first to second start, so while Victory Dance has a bit to find on ratings with both Lion Of War and Isaac Shelby, I’m confident he can find that improvement and more to give Charlie Appleby his fourth Superlative Stakes in five seasons.

3.50 Bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) 7f

Jumby is well treated on his best form but a habit of starting slowly is costing him in sprints, and the last time he raced over 7f he was a winner on the Rowley Mile here. He looks ready for a return to this trip, and Christophe Soumillon is an excellent booking for Eve Johnson Houghton’s gelding.

Jumby can’t afford to concede too much ground at the start, but it was encouraging to see him get away on terms when an excellent third to Rohaan in the Wokingham at Ascot, and with the extra yardage sure to help him, he looks the one to beat in an open contest.

4.25 Darley July Cup Stakes (Group 1) 6f

This looks sub-standard even by recent standards, and the principals from the Platinum Jubilee are the ones to concentrate on.

Artorius got his eye in at Ascot, where he was given too much to do, and I think he can reverse the form with the pair who beat him with slightly modified tactics.

He does stay further, and this trip is clearly a minimum for Anthony and Sam Freedman’s four-year-old, but he’s already shown himself a match for the best around at this trip.

There ought to be better to come the colt, who is still immature by Australian sprinting standards.

York

2.20 John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3) 1m 5f 188yds

Former Dante winner Thunderous goes well here, and he’s more than capable of bouncing out and making all under Franny Norton in what promises to be a tactical affair.

Norton has forgotten more than most jockeys know about canny race riding, and I would fancy him in a battle of wits against Andrea Atzeni, who rides favourite Without A Fight.

4.05 John Smith’s Cup Handicap 1m 2f 56yds

Chichester was transformed by a visor last season, winning by a wide margin at Ayr in September, but hasn’t worn the headgear this season. He ran poorly over a trip too far at Royal Ascot, but might have needed that after a break, and he should run much better with a visor retried now, and back under ideal conditions.

York’s long straight will suit him, and while he’s probably too high in the weights to win, a return to form can see him grab one of the extra places at a big price.

4.40 John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed) 5f

With Winter Power not looking herself since winning the Nunthorpe, there is value against her again, and Justanotherbottle looks too big to me.

He should have been withdrawn when getting very upset in the stalls before the Dash at Epsom, and won well at Ripon next time.

I’m convinced he is getting faster with age, and can book a place in the Nunthorpe itself if he wins this.

Ascot

3.00 Betfred Heritage Handicap 5f

The stalls are on the stands’ rail for this handicap, and that should see the high draws advantage, as has been the case in four of the last five runnings of this race.

Course-and-distance debut winner Get Ahead has fared quite well in the draw with stall 14 and makes more appeal than most.

She was second home of the low numbers in the Queen Mary here last year and was again poorly drawn when third in listed races at Bath and York this term. She ran well behind Mitbaahy at Sandown last time, and the winner was unlucky not to bag a Group 3 there last weekend.

The handicapper has not been unkind in giving her a mark of 93 for her first handicap, conditions should be perfect, and she will have no excuses this time.

3.35 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile (Group 2) 7f 213yds

Chindit has been mixing it in much better company than this, and while he doesn’t have much in hand in terms of the ratings, he should have the class to pull him through now dropped to Group 2 company.

Recommended

Golden Spice 2.05 Newmarket – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Hills, BetVictor)

Jimi Hendrix 2.40 Newmarket – 1pt win @ 4/1 (general)

Jumby 3.50 Newmarket – 1pt e/w @ 7/1 (Skybet – 6 places)

Chichester 4.05 York – 0.5pts e/w @ 33/1 (Skybet – 7 places)

Justanotherbottle 4.40 York – 1pt win @ 10/1 (general)

Get Ahead 3.00 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 20/1 (Bet365, or 18/1 general – 5 places)