HAS the class of Notable Speech and More Thunder fooled some over their optimum trip? I think so.
Ability over distance is a juggling act punters face in many races.
RexNotable Speech is a 2,000 Guineas winner – but he could prove just as brilliant as a sprinter with the drop to 6f in the July Cup[/caption]
What do I mean by that?
Well in an extreme example let’s take Frankel – arguably the world’s best ever Flat horse – who clearly would have beaten a 70-rated handicap over 2m and a 70-rated sprinter over 5f.
Yet Frankel, from the evidence we have, was best at 1m and 1m2f. His class was just something else.
Notable Speech has only ever raced over a mile in his ten starts.
His victories include the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and his defeats include a fine third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
But if the Charlie Appleby-trained runner had failed in the Guineas he might well have gone sprinting as a three-year-old.
On Saturday he finally does that in the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai July Cup over 6f.
It was clearly a late decision, as he was supplemented at a cost of £36,000. But I suspect it will prove inspired.
Notable Speech’s pedigree suggests speed is what he is all about.
His broodmare sire Invincible Spirit won the Haydock Park Sprint. He also has Pivotal in the mix, and he gets fast horses.
Lots of milers have done well in the July Cup.
Landseer was fourth in the 2002 renewal after landing a French 2000 Guineas, while Alcohol Free banged in the Sussex Stakes and Coronation before taking the 2022 July Cup.
Further back remember Chief Singer and Green Desert?
They were both placed in 2,000 Guineas and won this very same big sprint.
Ajdal landed the July Cup after running in the Derby and Royal Academy took this prize before a thrilling success in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Dream Ahead went from the St James’s Palace Stakes to this event having finished fifth at Ascot.
Notable Speech was actually seventh in that last year and fourth in the Queen Anne in June.
The trip will be no excuse for Notable Speech and his draw looks good. I’m confident he’s easily the best horse.
Opposition in a big field includes Wathnan improver Flora Of Bermuda – third to owner companion Lazzat in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot – and Whistlejacket, sixth in the Commonwealth Cup but a fine juvenile for Aidan O’Brien and a horse who has been backed down from much bigger prices.
He won the July Stakes over course and distance last season but that was on good to soft.
Inisherin has the ability to run a big one but was only fifth this time last year when the 11-8 favourite.
Believing was poor at Royal Ascot from a bad draw, while Jasour might be the best of the outsiders.
It’s a marathon on ITV Racing on Saturday, with no fewer than 12 races being shown. It will be hard to keep up.
More Thunder is back out for William Haggas in the bet365 Bunbury Cup over 7f after an unlucky second in the Wokingham over 6f at Royal Ascot.
That performance came on the back of two Newmarket successes oved 6f.
Tom Marquand described the Ascot defeat as “disgusting”, but like Notable Speech it might just be those 6f victories came from class.
Sir Michael Stoute ran this boy up to and extended 1m2f last season and he won his novice over 1m2f.
Seven furlongs in the Bunbury Cup should be no issue and it’s easy to argue he’s been crying out for a little further.
Who is to say he’s not a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper and doesn’t end up in something like the Group 1 Foret at the end of the season?
If he is then he’s chucked in here off 98.
There is top class racing at York and Ascot too.
At York I’m hoping for a good spin from See That Storm in the John Smith’s Cup Handicap over an extended 1m2f.
My selection goes for Ed Bethell and Callum Rodriguez and is lightly raced after just nine starts at the age of four.
He has a reasonable draw and upped to a mark of 95 – the same here – finished second to Burrito over a little bit further at this track last time.
This distance looks ideal and there is no reason why he won’t be in the mix again – he has thrived since going to Bethell from the Andrew Balding yard.
A notable Saturday. Let’s hope it’s one to shout about let alone give a good speech!
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
