Newmarket July Meeting - July Stakes

1.50 Newmarket (July)

TNT July Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner £34,026

Pick: Roman Solider (win)

Bannock: Made no mistake on second start when coasting home in Redcar maiden & then able to win race in one go when leading all the way in Windsor conditions event; Bettered that form when unlucky second (should have won in all likeliness) next but needs to improve on Norfolk Sixth.

Church Music: From speedy family (half-brother to no less than 3 winners at this trip) and showed precocity and promise when ready winner of York maiden last time out; Can do well again for team who have had a bounty of winners in this division.

Federick Engles: Bumped into a good one first time out and then ran into a potential top – notcher in Shumoos at Haydock, the best of the rest by 5 lengths; Got off the mark when he absolutely trashed Es Que Love and once again better form when a clear cut winner of the Windsor Castle and should make another bold bid.

Kenny Powers: Was a promising debutant even if he didn’t quite look like a sure-fire winner in waiting when making good process into fourth and good effort once again when third in conditions stakes latest but this flying far too high.

North Star Boy: Made promising debut when in front of Evervescent and Roman Soldier at Goodwood, and made no mistake when he was a clear cut winner over Lethal Force next time out (collateral form strong) ; Seventh in Coventry respectable but might be as good as he is.

Right To Dream: Made a promise start for one from this stable but no answer to Roman Solider from a long way out at Leicester; Broke maiden with ease and interesting that connections want to take on the winner again.

Roman Solider: Never ready enough for debut at Goodwood, and massive improvement when hard held & easy winner of Leicester maiden last time out, never in any danger from a long way out; Travelled like class act and made bold bid to win Coventry, only overhauled in last few strides, and can go well here.

Sans Loi: Landed a gamble impressively on Nottingham debut, although that form looked weakish beforehand and no idea of how noteworthy win is; Seemed to find the step upto Group company too much and nothing much proven by his easy win in 2 runner contest last time out.

VERDICT: Federick Engles has a huge chance if repeating or possibly bettering his Windsor Castle win but ROMAN SOLIDER looked like a horse with a future when beating all but Power in the Coventry Stakes and can go one better here.