Curtain up for the July Festival

Newmarket, Thursday 13 July: The July Festival will take place on the Rowley Mile in Newmarket until Saturday.

The summer spectacle opens with the Bahrain Trophy (1st race/14.50pm/200,000 pounds/2610m). The semi-classic for three-year-old horses sees Aidan O`Brien`s Tower Of London (Ryan Moore) as the winner. Two bull`s-eyes in a row favour him, but Gregory (Cieren Fallon), who ran strongly in the recent Queen`s Vase (Group 2) to finish second, and Castle Way (William Buick), who was other goods at Listed level here, will make the outcome exciting.

Nine two-year-old stallions/geldings are under order in the July Stakes (2nd race/15.25pm/100,000 pounds/1210m) at Group 2 level. Purosangue (Ray Dawson), Malc (Oisin Orr), Chief Mankato (William Buick) and Mountain Bear (Ryan Moore) have already announced themselves emphatically.

Only four horses will contest the Princess of Wales Stakes (4th race/16.35pm/125,000 pounds/2410m). Adayar (William Buick) from the quarters of Charlie Appleby and Godolphin should not let himself take the lot. The five-year-old, who was convincing when finishing third in Group 1 at Ascot last time, only has to fear Israr (Jim Crowley) and Global Storm (James Doyle).