General / Andrew Hughes / 04 July 2009 / Leave a comment

Andrew Hughes brings us the highlights of a busy racing week that includes a showpiece meeting at Newmarket and top class action at Chantilly, York and the Curragh

Sunday July 5

Chantilly

1:15 Prix du Bois
This is the first two-year-old Group race of the French calendar and a good performance here can be the prelude to an appearance in the Prix Robert Papin later in the month.

2:25 Prix Chloe
Once considered an important trial for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, this Group Three mile no longer carries the same significance but it can occasionally throw up a notable filly.

3:00 Etihad Airways Prix Jean Prat
The race of the day, this event has been shuffled around the calendar over the years but there have been some good runnings since its reincarnation as a mid-season Group One. Karl Burke's improving colt Lord Shanakill is the sole British entry.

Wednesday July 8

Newmarket

2:00 totesport.com Stakes
A juicy Heritage Handicap to get your teeth into. This is an ultra-competitive cavalry charge over six furlongs with a big prize on offer.

2:35 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes
This Group contest for two-year-olds can be a very informative event and you can often spot a potential star amongst the field of impeccably bred fillies. The pick of the entries is probably the Albany Stakes winner Habaayib

3:10 Abu Dhabi Falmouth Stakes
A Group One race that seems to go from strength to strength and attracts some of the very best fillies and mares in the sport. Amongst a classy field, the most eye-catching entry is Breeders Cup Mile winner Goldikova.

Thursday July 9

Newmarket

1:30 Bahrain Trophy
Traditionally a St Leger trial, this thirteen furlong event for three-year-olds throws up its share of future Group race winners.

2:00 TNT July Stakes
Dating back two hundred years, this Group Three has a fine pedigree. Run over a galloping six furlongs, it usually attracts a packed field featuring some of the speedier two-year-olds.

2:35 Blue Square Heritage Handicap
Another Heritage Handicap, run over ten furlongs. Many of the well-bred three-year-olds on show will be capable of graduating to Pattern class in time.

3:10 Princess of Wales's Stakes
This Group Two run over a mile-an-a-half is a decent race and attracts some interesting runners from the top stables. Probably the best of the entries is Godolphin's Hardwicke Stakes runner up Campanologist.

Friday July 10

Newmarket

2:00 Meydan Superlative Stakes
Another quality Pattern contest for two-year-olds that sees a number of previous winners stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time. Ante-post Guineas players will be paying close attention.

2:35 Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup
Rivalling the July Cup for popularity, this is a grand old handicap charge up the galloping seven furlongs of the July course.

3:10 Darley July Cup
The highlight of meeting and one of Europe's top sprints. As well as the frenetic thrills of a top class sprint, it has the additional fascination of the younger sprinters taking on their elders. Golden Jubilee winner Art Connoisseur is likely to be popular in the market.

York

2:45 Cuisine de France Summer Stakes
A decent sized field is expected for this Group Three sprint confined to fillies and mares.

Saturday July 11

Ascot

1:50 totescoop6 Stakes
A tricky Heritage Handicap to challenge Saturday punters, this seven furlong event confined to three-year-olds is sure to feature some progressive and unexposed types.

2:50 totesport.com Summer Mile Stakes
A mile event for older horses that has been upgraded in recent years and it has proven hot for its grade, last year's renewal attracting a number of Group One horses.

Curragh

4:00 Keeneland Minstrel Stakes
A decent looking Group Three, this is a seven furlong event named after the legendary Irish horse.

4:30 Keeneland International Stakes
A Group Three contest over nine furlongs that is likely to be keenly contested despite the small field.

York

3:10 50th John Smith's Cup
Perhaps the best betting race of the day, this is a valuable ten furlong handicap in which it can often pay to dig out a progressive three-year-old. Keep your eye on the Betfair market throughout the week.

3:45 John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup
Just one of a clutch of solid looking handicaps on the card, this is a Listed contest over a stamina-sapping fourteen furlongs.