Betting
NEWMARKET JULY FESTIVAL DAY 3 REPORT | Starman flies home in the July Cup
Ed Walker’s rising star produced a rapid turn of foot to win the Group 1 contest at Newmarket
Starman gave trainer Ed Walker a memorable afternoon on the third day of the July Festival, as the talented sprinter claimed the July Cup at Newmarket.
Highly regarded by his connections, the Dutch Art colt took some time to get going in the contest.
But his sheer power was too much to deal with in the final stages, as he cruised down the home straight and took the lead in the final furlong.
The four-year-old continued his surge to the line as he won by a length and a quarter.
Dragon Symbol made up some late ground to take second for Archie Watson, while Roger Teal’s Oxted and Tim Easterby’s Art Power finished in third and fourth.
Native Trial made it two wins in two starts for Charlie Appleby, as the colt landed some black type in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes.
The two-year-old was slightly keen early on, but a strong ride from William Buick pushed him on with three furlongs remaining.
The son of Oasis Dream reeled in the front-running Dhabab in the final furlong and was able to fend off the late challenge of Masekela to claim success by a short head.
Motakhayyel breezed up in the Bunbury Cup as the five-year-old recorded back-to-back successes in the contest.
The son of Heeraat was shaken up by Frankie Dettori as they approached the final furlong and he responded gamely.
Richard Hannon’s gelding pushed away from his rivals and stormed home in the final stages, recording victory by three and a half lengths.
Fundamental claimed second for John & Thady Gosden, while Stuart Williams’ Lord Rapscallion and Andrew Balding’s Shine So Bright claimed third and fourth.
Ardbraccan rallied well in the final yards to claim a half-length success in the 7f Maiden Fillies’ Stakes in the first part of Hannon’s double, while William Haggas’ Spirit Of Bermuda claimed the 7f Handicap.
Royal Fleet maintained his unbeaten record to give Buick and Appleby a quickfire double on the card in the bet365 Mile Handicap and Alan King‘s Duke Of Condicote claimed the 1m4f Handicap.
