Simon Holt's best bets for day one of the July Festival at Newmarket
Top commentator Simon Holt makes Atty Persse one of his best bets on day one of the July Festival at Newmarket.
Recommended bets: Newmarket
2pts Wings Of Desire in 3.35 Newmarket at best morning price
2pts win Atty Persse in 1.50 Newmarket at best morning price
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WINGS OF DESIRE, who looked a shade burly before finishing fifth at Royal Ascot following a long lay-off, is taken to show the benefit of that run in Thursday's Group Two Princess Of Wales's Arqana Racing Club Stakes on the first day of Newmarket's July Festival.
John Gosden's colt was beaten only three-and-a-half lengths by Idaho in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting and, at his best, has solid form claims here especially on his second to Highland Reel (Western Hymn sixth) in last year's King George.
A narrow winner from Deauville in the Dante Stakes earlier in the campaign before finishing fourth to Harzand in the Derby, Wings Of Desire has only to repeat any of those efforts under the back-from-injury Frankie Dettori to go very close here.
However, this is a very tight race as form-lines through Deauville and Highland Reel suggest there is little to choose between the selection and chief betting rivals Frontiersman and Poets Word.
Frontiersman, now fitted with cheekpieces, posted a clear career best when finishing second to Highland Reel in the Coronation Cup in early June, and might have gone close to winning but for hanging badly in the closing stages.
The winner was having his first run since Dubai that day and probably came on a bit afterwards so that his subsequent victory in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes is not necessarily a strong endorsement especially as, with the exception of sixth-placed Idaho (quietly ridden), the form has been let down by some of the other runners including the re-opposing third Hawkbill, well beaten in France since.
That said, Frontiersman, a wonderfully-bred son of Dubawi out of the top class Ouija Board, could finally be living up to his pedigree despite a hitherto in-and-out profile.
Poets Word, who looks a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver, is also closely matched with the selection having just failed to peg back Deauville in the Huxley Stakes at Chester in May. It's a little surprising that he hasn't run since, but that too was a career-best effort and he should be suited by this step up in trip.
Finally, I wouldn't entirely rule out Algometer who made a pleasing reappearance behind Stoute's Autocratic in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown over an inadequate mile and a quarter.
David Simcock's grey was some way behind Wings Of Desire in last year's Derby but beat the King George third Dartmouth at Newbury later in the season and looks the type to get better with age.
Earlier, ATTY PERSSE can repeat the huge impression he made at Royal Ascot in the Group Three Bahrain Trophy.
Drawn wide in the King George V Handicap, the son of Frankel was gunned from the start by Kieran Shoemark to get across in front of the field but still had plenty left in the tank up the home straight to win by three lengths.
This is a step up in class for Atty Persse but, ever since his debut win at Sandown last season, he has looked a good horse in the making and, likely to be suited by this extra furlong, he can advertise his claims for the St Leger.
On official ratings, the danger is Raheen House, a decent fourth behind Permian in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot having previously disappointed a little at Goodwood.
Posted at 1030 on 12/07/17.
More betting previews and columns
Richard Fahey's horse-by-horse to his team on Friday
Fran Berry looks ahead to his rides for Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Ben Linfoot seeks out the best Value Bets for Newmarket & York
Mike Cattermole has a selection for every race at Newmarket
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