Jockeys, frustrated at their inability to be at two places in once, may bemoan the fact so much top-quality racing is taking place this weekend, however punters can recline on the sofa and watch a vast array of racing unfold. Newmarket, Newbury and York host excellent cards, whilst Longchamp host the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris , in which Aidan O'Brien's Imperial Monarch will bid to atone for an unfortunate defeat in the French Derby. Timeform's Chris Williams has previewed the big-race and you can read his views here.
There is also top-level action to savour on these shores as the July Cup provides the highlight at Newmarket. Last year's runner-up Bated Breath will bid to finally break his Group 1 duck and comes into the race in good form on the back of his second place in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. That was the fourth occasion on which Bated Breath has come second in a Group 1, but there is no suggestion that attitude is a problem for Roger Charlton's consistent sort. Other horses that come into consideration for the prestigious contest include Australian contender Ortensia, Group 1-winning Society Rock, and recent Wokingham victor Dandy Boy.
Olympic Glory ran a fantastic race in defeat at Royal Ascot, coming home fast to grab second place in the Coventry Stakes. He steps up to seven furlongs here in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes and is likely to go off favourite and take a fair bit of beating. Having said that, Aidan O'Brien's Lines of Battle, sixth in the Coventry, re-opposes here and it would be premature to write him off with the step up in trip promising to suit.
The Bunbury Cup always provides a tricky puzzle for punters to try and solve, and it looks no different this year. David Marnane, who saddles July Cup fancy Dandy Boy, runs Jamesie in the competitive handicap, and Jamesie's prominent position in the market would indicate that he is expected to be more than just a travelling companion for his stablemate. Excellent Guest is also expected to go well, but, in truth, there is any number who could land the prize.
The John Smith's Cup at York looks as competitive as ever, and it is Roger Varian's Mijhaar who currently heads the market. Mijhaar has threatened, on more than one occasion, to win a big prize but his free-going nature has often taken its toll late on. A hood will be fitted in an attempt to get the horse to settle and it adds another fascinating dimension to the race. Area Fifty One, who was so impressive at Newmarket last time, will bid to supplement that recent success and is entitled to plenty of respect, representing the powerful Richard Fahey yard. Media Hype is another intriguing candidate, having just snuck in at the bottom of the weights, and is also sure to have his supporters.
The rest of the York card doesn't look much easier to solve, with the Silver Cup and City Walls Stakes being the principal supporting races. Resurgent veteran Crackentorp is sure to go well in the Silver Cup, but Mount Athos, who was withdrawn last week on account of soft ground, is also likely to produce a good effort granted decent underfoot conditions.
Caledonia Lady gained a deserved victory at Sandown last week and will bid to follow up in the City Walls Stakes. She will face stiff opposition though, as speedy types such as Masamah, Stepper Point and Hamish McGonagall could all prove to be formidable rivals.
Those who love nothing more than a large-field race to try and solve are given further joy, as Newbury host the twenty-five runner Super Sprint, a valuable sales race confined to two-year-olds. Richard Fahey fires three arrows in an attempt to land prize, however Richard Hannon is always the man to be feared in these events and his two representatives will have their followers.
The Super Sprint is supported by a Group 3 six-furlong contest and Irish challenger Maarek will be bidding to supplement his Newcastle win. Maarek powered through the mud on that occasion and it is a case of the heavier the better for this improved gelding. He won't have things his own way though, as Godolphin's Soul ran a cracker behind Black Caviar last time and must be respected.
On an action-packed day of racing it is easy to forget that Chester also race on Saturday, with the feature race on the card being the listed City Plate. Our Jonathan, who will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort behind Maarek at Newcastle, looks to have strong claims on the best of his form. He has also registered a win over C&D, which takes on extra significance given the specialist nature of Chester's track.
British racing on Sunday is very much the calm after the storm as Southwell and Stratford host a couple of low-key summer jumps meetings. Perth, also scheduled to race on Sunday, has unfortunately fallen foul of the inclement weather and has had to announce an early abandonment.
