3 group races at Newmarket today

there are 3 group races at Newmarket this afternoon, the second day of the July Festival. Most significant is the Princess of Wales´s Stakes over 1 1//2 miles at 16.10 CET, in which British racegoers have their first chance to see Spanish Moon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) for 20 months. The 6yo was banned from racing in Britain after frequently causing problems at the start. Since then he has running all over the place ("wherever they will hav us") with good effect- winning twice in France and finishing in the money in top races in the Breeders Cup, Hong Kong, and most recently in Dubai. All of these performances are certainly good enough for him to win this race, as long as he consents to go into the stalls.Otherwise the likeliest winners are Holberg (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), a very easy listed winner at Goodwood, and Tazeez (John Gosden/ Richard Hills), who ran a great race at Royal Ascot when finishing third to Byword and Twice Over after making the running, but now tries a longer trip. Sans Frontieres (Jeremy Noseda/ Tom Queally), Redwood (Barry and Michael Hills) and Crowded House (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer) finished 4th, 5th and 6th in that order in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot; they could go well again, but that form should not be good enough for them to trouble Spanish Moon.

The other two pattern races have relatively small fields. 7 line up for the opening Bahrain Trophy for 3yo´s over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 14.30. Corsica (Mark Johnston/ Dettori) is our selection here. he was 4th in the Queens Vase and before that 3rd in a valuable handicap at Mussleburgh won by Harris Tweed (William Haggas/ LIam Jones), whom he now meets on 18 lbs better terms for 5 lengths. A greater danger could be Prizefighting (Gosden/ William Buick), running in first time blinkers; he was 4th at Chantilly last time on soft ground but faster going is probably better for him

There are only 5 runners in the July Stakes for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 15.00 and this should on Royal Ascot form be booked for Elzaam (Michael Jarvis/ Richard Hills), who was caught on the line in the Coventry, the best 2yo race of the season so far. Richard Hannon´s juveniles are still going strong, and his Libranno (Ryan Moore) looks the chief danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Corsica - Harris Tweed - Very Good Day
2. Race: Elzaam - Approve - Neebras
3. Race: Treble Jig - Ransom Note - Breakheart
4. Race: Holberg - Spanish Moon - Tazeez
5. Race: Roayh - Casual Glimpse - Major Dude
6. Race: Critical Moment - Sweet Sonnet - Party Doctor
7. Race: Ziggy Lee - Invincible Lad - Astrophysical Jet