Newmarket
Today, July 12, 2025FlatClass 17fGood Firm
Verdict
Verdict
An intriguing clash between highly promising colts ITALY and Saba Desert, both of whom won their maidens in the manner of potentially pattern-class performers. The latter represents connections with a formidable recent record in this race, but Italy looked particularly good at Leopardstown and is taken to follow in the hoofprints of City of Troy, who won this for the yard in 2023. The sole filly in the line-up, Venetian Lace, is third choice ahead of Saba Desert's stablemate Wild Desert.
Italy
Saba Desert
Venetian Lace
7f Grp 2
7f Grp 2
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 2 places
- 2. ItalyJ: Ryan MooreT: Aidan O'Brien, IrelandF: 1
- Price History:
- 1.62
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 57
Verdict200,000 gns Wootton Bassett colt who looked a colt of serious potential when making a winning start to his career in a Leopardstown maiden (7.2f, good), doing very well to reel in one that got first run. Open to any amount of improvement for his top connections. 
6. Wild DesertJ: James DoyleT: Charlie ApplebyF: 12- Price History:
- 6.50
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 21
VerdictGood pedigree and wasn't hard pressed to make a winning debut at Haydock (7f, good to firm) in May. Turned over by a newcomer from the same yard when odds on for a C&D novice 3 weeks ago, but wasn't seen to best effect that day and he remains with potential. William Buick prefers Saba Desert.- 5. Saba DesertJ: William BuickT: Charlie ApplebyF: 1
- Price History:
- 5.50
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 29
VerdictAll the rage in the betting ahead of his debut at Sandown (7f, good) and duly delivered in that 6-runner maiden. The placed horses haven't done much for the form since, but this colt represents powerful connections with a fine record in this race (5 wins since 2016) and he's an exciting prospect. 
3. MoonfallJ: Billy LoughnaneT: George BougheyF: 231- Price History:
- 23.00
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 30
VerdictPretty useful placed efforts in 5f novice events on the Rowley Mile here during the spring and duly made it third time lucky upped to 6.5f at Newbury (good to firm) last month. Should win more races, but it remains to be seen if he possesses the required ability to mix it at this level.- 7. Venetian LaceJ: Oisin MurphyT: Charlie JohnstonF: 14
- Price History:
- 29.00
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-0
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 21
VerdictMasar filly who made the perfect start in a 6f Chelmsford maiden at the beginning of last month. Improved when fourth upped to this trip in the Chesham at Royal Ascot (good to firm) next time and, with the promise of better to come, she should make her presence felt. 
1. Bourbon BluesJ: Tom MarquandT: Brian MeehanF: 018- Price History:
- 41.00
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 25
VerdictLeft debut effort behind when landing a 5f Brighton maiden in May and far from disgraced when eighth of 20 in the Coventry at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) since. Looks ready for the step up to this trip but, on the downside, he lacks the star potential of one or two of these rivals.
4. RaakebJ: Sam HitchcottT: Richard HannonF: 1337- Price History:
- 51.00
- Age:
- 2
- Weight:
- 9-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 0
- Days Since Last Run:
- 25
VerdictFollowed Ripon debut success with a couple creditable efforts in defeat, including when third in the Woodcote at Epsom last month. Like Bourbon Blues, he wasn't disgraced when mid-field in the Coventry at Royal Ascot since but, also like that rival, he seemingly lacks the potential of some of these.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite