Newmarket's July meeting kicks off on Thursday and it's a cracking day that features three Group races and a Listed event. Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway gives his best bets.
1.50 Newmarket
Walk Of Stars @ 11/4
1pt win
3.00 Newmarket
Bosh @ 10/1
1pt win
4.40 Newmarket
Coase @ 10/1
1pt win
Stars set to shine
Walk Of Stars finished a long way behind main rival here, Masekela, in the Derby at Epsom last time but the undulating track probably wouldn't have suited this big, long-striding son of Dubawi and he could bounce back on his first start after being gelded in the Bahrain Trophy Stakes (1.50).
Trainer Charlie Appleby has had his three-year-old gelded since that disappointing run at Epsom and that might help. Walk Of Stars has always been highly strung and he raced freely when second in the Lingfield Derby Trial on his previous run, but still ran on well for second.
Walk Of Stars had the reopposing Zechariah four and a quarter lengths behind that day and that rival went on to finish a close second in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on his next run.
That is clear evidence that Walk Of Stars has the talent to win this race if he bounces back to his best and Appleby won the event last year with Yibir, who was having his first run after a gelding operation. There is every chance that the same move can pay dividends again.
Bosh can hit rivals for six
Bosh was a progressive horse at two and it's a matter of time before he opens his account as a three-year-old. It's worth taking a chance on him in the Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap (3.00).
The Richard Hannon-trained colt finished between three subsequent winners when third in a red-hot 7f handicap at Newbury in April and should have gone closer than he did last time at Goodwood. He was held up in last and given far too much to do by jockey Jamie Spencer, but nothing finished faster and he did well to finish just four lengths behind in the circumstances.
Bosh recorded both of his wins last season over this 6f distance and the return to a shorter trip shouldn't be an issue. Recent history also suggests he has been lucky with the draw in stall 17 because three of the last five winners were drawn 16, 19 and 20, and one other came from 12.
Coase can land another course success
Trainer Michael Wigham has had two winners, a third and a fourth from just nine runners at Newmarket's July course in the last five seasons and his horses usually run well at this track.
Coase recorded his last win on the Rowley Mile, but he looked equally as good when third in a 1m2f handicap on his first start on the July course last time and it's worth backing him to go two better when he lines up in the 4.40 that closes the card.
The five-year-old was no match for the first two last time, but the winner Peter The Great came into that race in top form on the back of a victory at Chelmsford and the runner-up was lightly raced favourite Aeonian, who represented Sir Michael Stoute and William Buick.
Coase can be considered better than the bare form because not a lot went right. He was slowly away and raced freely on his return to 1m2f, but was still strong at the finish.
The likely quicker pace on his return to a mile should help him to settle and Coase is capable of taking another step forward with the superb Hollie Doyle taking over from Pat Cosgrave.
| What: | Newmarket July meeting - Day One |
| Where: | Newmarket, Suffolk |
| When: | Thursday 7th July, 2022 |
| How to watch: | ITV1, Racing TV and bet365's Sports Live Streaming platform |
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