A PACEMAKER, so sorely missed at Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, could hold the key to Thursday’s feature race as the July meeting gets underway at Newmarket.
The Group 2 Princess of Wales Close Brothers Stakes is the main event, and without a doubt the best horse in the race is Charlie Appleby trained Yibir, who will be ridden by William Buick.
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Yibir is an extremely talented snail, who won the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar last November and finished second to Shahryar in the Sheema Classic in Dubai in March.
Since then, however, Yibir has been defeated in tactical matters, both at Newmarket – when he was defeated by the once again opposing Living Legend – and in the Man O’War Stakes at Belmont Park.
Today it looks like Appleby isn’t risking a lack of pace in a small field as he has also proclaimed the decent but overrated Global Storm, who is James Doyle’s mount.
It is impossible not to believe that Global Storm is there to ensure there is a strong pace, and that means Yibir has a great chance of returning to hand over his best and likely favorite Mostahdaf, who chased Broome in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Living Legend is owned by great people in Barbara and Alick Richmond but since his defeat of Yibir – much better off on the weights – he has finished last in both Epsom and Ascot and while this is much easier than the Coronation Cup it is hard to see how he changes form at the royal match with Mostahdaf.
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On paper, the others don’t look good enough for a shock.
The Princess of Wales’s is one of four Newmarket races broadcast live on ITV’s main network.
The action kicks off with a Group 3 St Leger trial in the Bahrain Trophy for three-year-olds over 1m5f.
I venture here with ZECHARIAH for the Meades and Ryan Moore.
I’m not sure of Masekela’s stamina despite fourth in the Derby and Walk of Stars, but my hopes were very high when I came second in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.
He seems to be getting better all the time and might outperform some more fanatical horses.
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Can’t wait for the Group 2 July Stakes of over 6f for youngsters, which seems like a cracker between Windsor Castle winner Little Big Bear and Coventry runner-up PERSIAN FORCE.
I’m with the last one before Richard Hannon and Rossa Ryan. The Mehmas foal won at Doncaster and Newbury before chasing Bradsell at Ascot.
Hannon really believes that Persian Force is top notch and I agree.
The three-year handicap above 6f is tough. INGRA TOR was disappointing in York last time but has a chance to come back for Tom Marquand and Mick Channon.
Prior to the York flop, Ingra Tor looked progressive as he scored well at Newmarket and if he repeats that effort, he has every chance of even 9lbs higher in the handicap.
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