July Festival Day Three - Dead Cert and Whisper

Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury 

After another night of rain at HQ we have seen the field depleted for the July and Bunbury Cups. I am sure going all the way back to the times of Sir Bunbury we probably haven't seen conditions like this at HQ in July. Today's race is run in honour of Sir Thomas Charles Bunbury (1740-1821) who was the Senior Steward to the Jockey Club who established both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.

With Bated Breath, Libranno and Krypton Factor withdrawn and the ground being a concern for others the July Cup seems a more open contest in which outsiders like The Cheka could prove appealing. The Cheka's connections are looking forward to big run given the testing conditions at the July course. The Bunbury Cup as ever looks an open contest with Belgian Bill and Bonnie Brae being attractive each way punts.

York and Newbury both present good cards. With a tricky to call John Smiths Cup (York) and Super Sprint (Newbury) their feature races. Overseas in Paris Imperial Monarch and Main Sequence look to have excellent chances to beat the local opposition with Treasure Beach (for O'Brien) looking to raid the USA and take the Man O'War at Belmont tonight.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Maarek (3.10 Newbury)
This Irish raider can continue his excellent sprint form this season by picking up this Group 3 contest. The gelding is thriving at present.With these testing conditions Crockford feels confident of another win and has only one slight concern that Soul may run him close.

Crockford's Whisper - Crackentorp (2.25 York)
Having an excellent season so far with having just been beaten in the Northumberland Plate he is sure to run well again given the conditions and being at a track where he runs well (course winner there times).

Archer selects Bircham 

Archer's Selection -  Bircham (3.55 Newmarket)
On the Morning Line this morning the modern day great Frankie Dettori honestly told us that his best ride of the day is Bircham. Dettori informed viewers that Bircham would progress from his last race and would handle the conditions today. Archer would take such advice from a fellow champion in selecting his mount.

Crockford's other gambles around the courses:

Newmarket - Sir John Hawkwood (1.40), Maxentius (2.10), Belgian Bill and Bonnie Brae (2.40 e/w), The Cheka (3.20 e/w), Bircham (3.55) and Eye of the Tiger (5.05 e/w)
York - Crackentorp (2.25 e/w),  Navajo Chief and Mid Mon Lady (3.00 e/w), Masamah (3.35) and Orsippus (4.45)
Newbury - Mugazala (2.35), Maarek (3.10), Ceelo (e/w) and Hototo (3.50), Producer (4.55) and Raslan (5.30 e/w)
Chester - Corporal Maddox (2.50), I Love Me (3.25) and Monshak (4.00)
Longchamp - Imperial Monarch (6.50 Grand Prix de Paris)