July Stakes Group Two

                                                                        July Stakes Group Two

A Group Two Juvenile contest which has suffered from a few barren years of late with Arcano the only winner of the race who has has achieved victory at the highest level in the past decade. This years renewal will likely change that and it looks a packed field of untapped potential, with six of the runners coming here having won last time and four defending unbeaten records

Angelic Lord- Was a well backed winner on debut at Ripon, when besting two useful rivals, over the minimum distance before running with immense credit in the Coventry. He finished 6th that day and was less than 3 lengths off the winner The Wow Signal. I wasn't overly convinced by the depth of the Coventry field this year and this looks a stronger race. Looks up against it in this field

Belardo- Bred to need a trip in time, but showed plenty of pace when sauntering clear of overmatched rivals at Yarmouth on debut. The market told plenty that day, and this is a colt connections have obviously got a lot of time for. Much respected

Dougal- Probably the best of the magic roundabout named horses for owner Julie Wood and arrives here seeking a hat trick but looks the Hannon second string on jockey bookings and he has plenty to find to take a hand

George Bowen- 100k son of Dark Angel who was well backed on debut when winning narrowly at Carlisle. He showed a good attitude that day and battled back when headed a furlong out. Should come on a fair bit for that run and could show a bit of cheek at massive odds

Ivawood- The most impressive son of Zebedee seen on a racetrack so far and looked a colt destined for the top when hosing in on debut at Sandown over five furlongs. He never came off the bridle that day and the 2nd and the 4th have added depth to the form by winning next time out. He rates as the one to beat for the Hannon stable who have won this contest 3 of the past 4 years

Jungle Cat- The form pick of the race who arrives here having finished 3rd in the Coventry Stakes last time. He only went down 1.75 lengths that day, having been beaten 20 by the winner on debut at Ayr. Has a solid enough profile and his trainers two year olds are in sparkling form, but it would be disappointing if one of the unexposed types didn't have his measure today. Looks far too short and readily opposed

Lightening Stride- Second string to Qatars bow but looks out of his depth following two 5th place finishes, the latter in a novices event at Kempton. Merely making up the numbers

Mind Of Madness- Son of Azamour who was a supremely impressive winner of a Newmarket conditions race on his racecourse bow. That performance marked him down as a juvenile to follow but the wheels have fallen off a touch since. He was readily put in his place by Adaay next time at Yarmouth before running back to back at the Royal meeting. Firstly running down the field behind American speedster Hootenanny in the Windsor Castle before seemingly bouncing back
when finishing runner up in the Norfolk. Possible he was flattered by the way the race was run that day and hard to rate the form of that race too highly anyway, with the 4th and 6th both well beaten at Listed level next time. Looks unlikely to give trainer David Brown a 2nd win in the race

Mubtaghaa- A son of Acclamation who is the choice of Paul Hanagan following his excellent 3rd placing in the Windsor Castle. Was unable to go with Hootenanny that day but finished well from the rear to finish 3rd. The limitations of the runner up hold down the form somewhat, but he is certainly a useful colt. Place potential

Muhaarar- A half brother to the crack Meydan sprinter Tamathuul and bred to be a fair bit sharper than him, having been sired by Oasis Dream. Looked a juvenile to follow when cruising in by 4 lengths on debut and the 3rd that day went on to finish one place ahead of his aforementioned stable mate in the Windsor Castle. Certainly looks to have plenty of ability and although it is a concern he hasn't seen since that debut win 59 days ago he needs respecting

The Great War- The banker of the royal meeting for many and he came with a sky high reputation, being a $1million son of super sire War Front and having not broken out of a canter in winning two five furlong contests in Ireland. However it all went wrong in the Norfolk and he could only muster a hugely disappointing 5th place. Looked out on his feet at halfway that day and it would take a leap of faith to have full confidence in him here, even allowing for his trainers red hot form of late

Ustinov- A big eye catcher when 3rd on debut behind Winslow in a deep maiden at Haydock, before making no mistake next time when coming with a withering run from the rear to readily take a Nottingham maiden. His trainer is not adverse to tilting at windmills but this colt who hails from a cracking family certainly warrants his place in the field

Verdict- A belting renewal of the July Stakes and it is one full of untapped potential. The selection is the 220k son of Zebedee, Ivawood who made a deep impression when winning a decent Sandown maiden with the minimum of fuss on his racecourse debut. The betting that day suggested the stable knew what they had and he can take the leap from maiden company to Group 2 in his stride. Two other debut winners in the form of Belardo and Muhaarar rate as the main dangers

1 Ivawood
2 Muhaarar
3 Belardo