Can anyone scalp mighty O'Brien colt?Newmarket 16:35

On the busiest day in the Flat racing calendar, the July Cup takes centre stage and it looks a corker of a renewal.

All eyes will be on CARAVAGGIO at Newmarket. Aidan O'Brien's charge tops BTO+ ratings by a decent margin and looks to extend his unbeaten record. Since hacking up in the Coventry Stakes as a juvenile, the son of Scat Daddy has been a champion in the making. Connections correctly snubbed going down the mile route to stay sprinting with Caravaggio because of the immense speed the colt possesses. He bolted up in the EMS Copiers Lacken Stakes at Naas before heading to Royal Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup. Caravaggio displayed his wicked turn of foot under a confident ride by Ryan Moore to beat HARRY ANGEL by three-quarters-of-a-length. What was more impressive is O'Brien's runner was restless in the stalls and wasted precious energy. If Caravaggio settles better, the colt could produce an even better performance than he did at Ascot and O'Brien brags a 32% better-than-expected win rate in the past two weeks.

THE TIN MAN also tasted Royal Ascot success in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. James Fanshawe's charge produced a gutsy performance in the final-day feature at the Berkshire track. The son of Equiano's best trip is over six furlongs and will relish the fast ground at Newmarket. Tom Queally knows the gelding inside out and there will be plenty of confidence in the Fanshawe camp given the superb season the trainer is having. The Tin Man is second-best rated by BTO+ and the five-year-old has an impeccable 228% better-than-expected win rate at the circuit.

Connections will be hoping LIMATO can get back on the right track. On his day, Henry Candy's charge possesses bundles of ability, but the colt is a bit of an enigma. The son of Tagula registered arguably his best career performance in the July Cup last year when he danced home by two lengths. The gelding also won the Prix De La Foret at Chantilly by three lengths. However, Limato has drawn blank from his three starts this season. In the Diamond Jubilee last time, it looked like Candy's runner was going to put his rivals to the sword but didn't pick up. Nonetheless, Limato still finished third and Candy boasts a 25% better-than-expected win rate at the course.

TASLEET is one of the most exciting up-and-coming sprinters about. William Haggas' four-year-old recorded an insurmountable performance in the Duke Of York Stakes in May. Despite some having doubts how Tasleet would cope on fast ground in Group One company, the son of Showcasing ran a belter in the Diamond Jubilee to finish runner-up. The colt will have gained a superb education from that effort and the uphill finish at Newmarket should be no problem given Tasleet has won over seven furlongs previously.

Godolphin will be hoping Harry Angel can reverse the form with Caravaggio. The three-year-old is getting plenty of weight from his older rivals and is a classy colt. Clive Cox's charge was second in the Pavillion Stakes when giving away weight to Blue Point, but then hacked up by four-and-a-half lengths in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. However, it could be tough for Harry Angel to reverse the form with his foe from the Commonwealth Cup.

Kevin Ryan will be looking forward to running BRANDO after the Yorkshire handler's trouble in his yard. Brando won the Coral Charge and the Ayr Gold Cup last campaign and started this term in the perfect style. The son of Pivotal won the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April before finishing last to Tasleet at York, although that might have been because of the problems in Ryan's yard. Brando should be in decent shape and Ryan boasts a superb 81% better-than-expected win rate over the course and distance.

Article Posted on Saturday 15th July 2017 @ 09.05