The Daily Yankee
NAP OF THE DAY: Le Don De Vie, (1540 Newmarket), 2pts win, 7/1:
A superb cavalry charge of 35 runners, but this lacks some of the quality of recent editions and that has left room for some seriously progressives 3yos to get in. They dominate the market, and having all been given potentially advantageous high draws, they look set to dominate the race. Fifth Position comes from a yard that has done well in big handicaps but he is total guesswork making his handicap debut and has the least best of the draws. Good Birthday would probably get the nod if it rains significantly, but in expectation of a pretty decent surface this may lie between Lord North and Le Don De Vie. In what should be a brutal gallop, Le Don De Vie’s more proven stamina can prevail, with jockey Ryan Moore pretty much hugging the near rail and likely to be hard to pass.
Raffle Prize, (1425 Newmarket), 5/4: she is probably the outstanding juvenile filly at this distance this season, having win both the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes here. Last time she was clear of an exceptional field when touched off by the potentially brilliant French colt Earthlight. Back against the fillies here she should prove a cut above once again.
Earthlight, (1500 Newmarket), 2/1: a stunning renewal of this Group 1 pits together unbeaten colts from England, Ireland and France. Mums Tipple was jaw-droppingly awesome in wide margin victory at York last time. Either he is the second Frankel or that was too good to be true. Siskin has looked good in Ireland but this is surely a step up. We can be sure that Earthlight sets a high standard, hopefully paid the complement by Raffle Prize earlier, he comes from the legendary Fabre stable who so rarely miss the target with cross channel juvenile raids. A great race, but a case of Allez Les Bleus.
Vitralite, (1725 Newmarket), 4/1: another decent handicap that may be best left to the 3yos. Dubai Legacy fans will want to see Lord North flatter the form earlier, whilst Riviera Nights seems to have re-found his best. But Vitralite looks the one having run blinder trying to make all in a big field at York last time only to be pipped late on in that mile contest. This step back to 7f should allow for an aggressive ride, and with no obvious pace opponents, jockey Ben Curtis may get the unopposed lead that often pays on this track.
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