Newmarket preview: July Cup (15.45)
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Brazen Beau ran a stormer when runner-up last time out, and can go one better to become the first Australian-trained horse to win the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket (15.45).
The Chris Waller trained colt and has won five of his 11 starts, including two Group 1 contests.
Brazen Beau has a high cruising speed and potent turn of foot, and on his penultimate outing landed the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington which is one of the best sprint contests in Australia.
The four-year-old also ran a blinder when last seen in action in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot when a 1/2 length runner-up to Undrafted when arguably an unlucky loser.
Jockey Craig Williams made the decision to race alone on the stand side, and Brazen Beau looked all over the winner when going a length up inside the final furlong before getting collared near the line.
It was an effort which suggested Brazen Beau may well have have won had he raced with the main group, and the son of I Am Invincible lost little in defeat.
To me Brazen Beau was the best horse in the race and, having since been purchased by Godolphin, he now gets the services of in-form jockey James Doyle in the saddle and can get back to winning ways.
Muhaarar is a rapidly improving three-year-old trained by Charlie Hills, and looks the obvious danger in a mouthwatering contest.
The colt has won four of his eight starts and put in a stunning performance in the last of those when storming to a 3 1/2 length success in the inaugural running of the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
After travelling strongly in midfield in a race run at a searing gallop, Muhaarar made good headway two from from before talking up the running at the furlong marker and quickening clear to beat some top class rivals with consummate ease.
It was an effort which suggested he was right of the top drawer, and the son of Oasis Dream gets a handy 6lb weight-for-age allowance from Brazen Beau.
Muhaarar also remains open to further improvement and has the services of Paul Hanagan in the saddle, and looks sure to make a bold bid to become the first three-year-old winner of the race since Dream Ahead in 2011.
Coral’s top tip: Brazen Beau is your best bet here, and can hold off Muhaarar’s considerable claims to scoop the feature race of this Newmarket meeting.
