July Festival Day One - Present for punters?

With the going changing from Good to Soft to Good to Soft, Soft in places trainers may again be re-examining their plans and chances for the July Festival at HQ. The ground has already troubled trainers with many hoping for a drier spell. However, the news this evening is that it has been hammering down  at course. At least one blessing must be is that it can not be as bad as it was for the last at Lingfield Park today where the hail, rain, thunder and lighting even reduced the starter to abandon the stalls and wave the flag instead for the six furlong sprint.

After what continues to be an excellent spell for Gosden the change in the ground may rally him even further support from punters - as the old adage says back a Gosden horse on Good to Soft or softer. For the first day he has a number of attractive propositions including Shantaram in the first and  Nabucco in the third race - but Crockford is looking elsewhere for his Dead Cert.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Red Cadeaux (3.00 Newmarket)
With some excellent performances to date this season Red Cadeaux is a real present for punters at around 5/2. Finishing behind the quality Sea Moon and St Nicholas Abbey in recent races he should frank that form tomorrow. Crockford notices that the big firms currently make him up at 20/1 for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes next weekend but that may well change by the end of racing.

Crockford's Whisper - Chilworth Icon (1.50 Newmarket e/w)
This consistent two year old has ran well throughout the season so far and is up against some others that have disappointed on big occasions. The whisper is that the horse will run well again tomorrow at a double figure price. Crockford believes that he will worry the judge but may be beaten by one or two who may be a cut above him - but it is worth an each way gamble.

Archer's Selection - Gabrial (4.05 Newmarket)
This potential mount caught Archer's eye when he was supplemented for the St James's Palace at Royal  Ascot where he finished fifth. Now down in grade and with Fallon on board punters should be rewarded at about 11/4 




Crockford's other selections for the first day:

1.20 Shantaram
1.50 Sir Prancealot and Chilworth Icon (e/w)
2.25 Nabucco
3.00 Red Cadeaux
3.35 Fleeting Smile and Mandeville
4.05 Gabrial