7.10pm Newmarket Tips & Betting Preview 21/07/2017

A field of nine go to post for this competitive conditions race at Newmarket on Friday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: After winning the Molecomb last season most impressively, YALTA has been screaming out for the five furlong distance this season and finally gets it here for Mark Johnston. He ran well to finish fifth on seasonal debut in a very hot Group 3 at Ascot and his latest start in the Commonwealth Cup was always going to be an impossible task. This is obviously much easier and with William Buick taking back the ride, all factors point to a fourth career victory for this son of Exceed And Excel. Goldream is the biggest danger and has to be respected back down in grade, with Orante another one to consider.

1 DUKE OF FIRENZE – Smart handicapper for David Griffiths who finished third in the Epsom Dash back in June, struggling the last twice in some other competitive sprints. The probable cut in the ground is of little concern and despite having to concede a four pound penalty, he should be going very close in this with Jamie Spencer taking the ride for a very much in form stable. Likely to make his presence felt and is respected.

2 GOLDREAM – Won the Abbaye and King’s Stand back in 2015 and this talented eight year old was far from disgraced when sixth in the City Walls at York when last seen. He does need more if he’s to be threatening, but he drops out of pattern company for the first time in a good while and his second in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock in May proves he still retains lots of ability. Luke Morris takes the ride which is an eyecatcher and he has to be respected.

3 LIGHTSCAMERACTION – Rated higher on the all weather and all his better form has come on that surface, as proven by his latest flop n the turf where he could only manage eleventh in a Class 3 handicap at Chester earlier this month. He is rated 16lb inferior to the top rated Goldream and this looks a very stiff task for Gay Kelleway’s five year old. The yard are cold at present, as is jockey Daniel Muscutt and he’s likely best watched.

4 MONSIEUR JOE – Won this race twelve months ago for Paul Midgley, but he’s been a very tricky customer since and needs to race his game if he’s to be threatening. He finished a good enough fifth at Cork in Listed company on his penultimate start, but failed to back that up when well beaten in a handicap at Newmarket earlier this month. This is no easier and despite the yard and jockey being both in great form, others are readily preferred.

5 ORNATE – Only one win from seventeen starts for Robert Cowell which immediately throws up the red flags, but he does hold good claims on some of his form this season. He was a good second in the Abernant Stakes behind Brando, though he’s been hit and miss since then and his latest fifth in the City Walls at York was disappointing despite being ahead of Goldream. Hard to know what you’ll be getting and even though Ryan Moore takes the ride, he is likely an each way contender only.

6 TROPICS – Finished runner up in the July Cup of 2014 and 2015 at this venue, but he has been sparsely seen in recent times and missed all of 2016. He has had two runs this season for Dean Ivory, last seen at Salisbury in Listed company where he was stone dead last and all but tailed off in the end. Hard to make a case for him with what we know at the moment, so he’s likely best watched again.

7 WILLYTHECONQUEROR – Four year old who has been finding it all too tough in some Group company the last twice, last seen in the Coral Charge at Sandown where he wasn’t necessarily disgraced to finish sixth. This is his easiest assignment for a while and he finished a good third on his last start in conditions company, so he isn’t one to rule out with Martin Dwyer taking the ride. Looks set for each way claims.

8 VERDI – Six race maiden for John Ryan who has shown very modest form at best so far, with his best effort being a fifth at Musselburgh in Class 6 handicap company. He is rated 60lb inferior to Goldream on the ratings and the less said about him, the better.

9 YALTA – Won the Molecomb in very impressive style last season for Mark Johnston and he’s been set some very tough tasks since then, showing his spark when fifth in the Pavilion Stakes at Ascot earlier this season which was a very hot Group 3. The drop back in trip to five furlongs should help this front runner immensely and he has been seemingly screaming out for it for a long while. William Buick takes the ride which is another plus and this looks the perfect opportunity for him to return to winning ways.