Five to note at the Moët & Chandon July Festival

Dee Ex Bee could seek to go one better than in the Derby. Picture: Racingfotos.com

The three-day Moët & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket, which begins on Thursday, is always one of the highlights of the season. It features two QIPCO British Champions Series races – the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes on Friday and Darley July Cup 24 hours later – and below are five horses who could make the headlines.

FIRST ELEVEN

Race: Bahrain Trophy (1.50 Thursday)

The Bahrain Trophy often provides clues for the St Leger – Masked Marvel won it en route to glory at Town Moore in 2011 – and this year’s renewal is unlikely to be any different.

Whatever Aidan O’Brien chooses to run will be worth a second glance but First Eleven could be even more interesting. The Frankel colt is on an upward curve and was unlucky not to win the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

This is a step up in class, but he will appreciate the longest trip he has been asked to tackle and is capable of better yet.

DEE EX BEE

Race: Prince of Wales’s Arqana Racing Club Stakes (3.35 Thursday)

The Investec Derby runner-up was unable to quite reproduce that form when only seventh in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on his latest start but this represents an easier assignment.

Those questioning the merit of the Epsom form had to think again when Roaring Lion (third) and Saxon Warrior (fourth) fought out the finish of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown last Saturday.

ALPHA CENTAURI

Race: Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (3.35 Friday)

The star of the show at Royal Ascot romped home by seven length in the Coronation Stakes in course record time.

Jessica Harrington’s filly will again get the fast ground she relishes and the older horses in the line-up will have to concede her 9lb.

ADVERTISE

Race: bet365 Superlative Stakes (1.05 Saturday)

Advertise will have to wait until next year before making his presence felt in the QIPCO British Champions Series but he definitely looks one to follow.

The Showcasing colt made a good impression when winning on his debut at Newbury and confirmed that when beating all bar the exciting Calyx in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. He kept on strongly that day and the uphill finish of the July Course should play to his strengths.

BLUE POINT

Race: Darley July Cup (2.15 Saturday)

The big sprint on Saturday features several speedsters who have already made an impression in this year’s Champions Series with Blue Point perhaps the most compelling of them all.

He looked in great heart when upstaging Battaash and Lady Aurelia in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and, while he has an extra furlong to cover, he has looked equally at home over six furlongs and in any case conditions will put the emphasis on speed.