Juvenile Watch: July Festival review and Saturday tip

On Friday, the fillies took centre stage in the Group Two Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, in a contest that saw two form lines from Royal Ascot; the Albany and the Queen Mary combine.

In the end, it was the runner-up from the Queen Mary, Senorita Bonita who emerged victorious as she seemingly improved for this extra furlong. It’s a performance worthy of an upgrade too as, after a small bump in the early stages, she failed to settle for the first couple of furlongs. It’s too her testament that she saw out this trip so well.

Over six furlongs, a stronger early pace will see her to better effect, while this performance, coupled with her pedigree – her unraced dam Belicious is from a family of black type, middle distance winners – suggest she could well stay seven furlongs later this season.

She reportedly heads to the Prix Morny next with connections keen to avoid carrying a Group Two penalty in the Lowther.

On paper, Albany winner Libertango had the confirmed stamina for this contest having seen out the six furlongs well at Ascot, yet to my eye she looked like she got out-stayed.

However, she was positioned a couple of lengths off the pace in a slowly-run race and had to do a lot of running to get to the front before being unable to repel the challenge of the winner.

I’d be surprised if she were able to reverse this form with the winner, though her next target is the Lowther and that might well prove winnable. 

After Royal Ascot I suggested that Victorious, winner of the Queen Mary despite racing on the wrong side of the track was the best filly of this crop. That sentiment was hardened further after this weekend as, just like Senorita Bonita, she will improve for stepping back up in trip.

On Saturday, it was the turn of the colts in the Superlative Stakes. Prior to the race, it looked to only concern the top two in the market; odds-on favourite Abraham Lincoln and Al Hudaiba, and that was how it played out, though it was a race of changing fortunes.

Through the early stages, Curragh maiden winner Abramham Lincoln raced in a powerful, yet settled manner, in stark contrast to his market rival Al Hudaiba who pulled hard towards the rear of the field.

As the tempo quickened it was again Ryan Moore’s mount who looked the most professional, moving stylishly into contention and seemingly making a race winning move as William Buick wrestled with Al Hudaiba who veered violently to his left.

Yet the complexion of the race changed dramatically in the last half-furlong as finally he started to find top gear, while Abraham Lincoln showed immaturity as he hung to his left, forfeiting crucial ground to eventually lose out by a short head. 

Given the swing in momentum throughout the race it’s not a form line I’ll be keen to add much weight to, particularly as the winner appears to have his own ideas, for all that he’s clearly talented.

I do also wonder whether Ryan Moore felt he had the race won, I’ve certainly seen him react more vigorously on a hanging horse and it could just be that he thought he was further clear than in reality he was – a rare mistake by the world's best jockey if so. 

It’s highly likely that they might well clash next in the National Stakes at the Curragh, and at this stage I’d be in the Abraham Lincoln camp. This was only his second start, so he will have learned plenty, plus the wide open layout of the track could see Al Hudaiba start at the Curragh and finish at Leopardstown! 

A son of Frankel he made his debut in a maiden at Killarney, won last year by Benvenuto Cellini. 

Patiently ridden over the mile trip by Colin Keane, it took a while for the penny to drop when he was asked for his finishing effort, but once he did grasp the idea he flew home making giant strides under extremely sympathetic handling.

He’s a nailed on maiden winner next time and could well be up to contesting group ones over middle distances next season. 

GAMBLING MAN (Amanda Perrett)

Gambling Man made his debut in what looked a suitably competitive six-furlong maiden at Newbury.

He finished fourth, but promised at much more to come given his run was hampered when he briefly lost his footing as the tempo lifted before having to shift to his right in the closing stages. He looks well up to winning a similar race next time.

Bint Archange put a lacklustre performance at Royal Ascot behind her with a taking victory in Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown earlier this month. However, that win will give her a small penalty so I’d be keen to oppose her. 

My selection would be ETIENNE. He lacks experience with just one start to his name having finished runner-up at Newmarket on his debut, but as is always the case with juveniles from the Richard Spencer yard, it seemed that education was the priority on the debut performance.

Jockey David Egan worked hard to settle him, but this resulted in him being towards the rear of the field. He charged home in taking fashion and in another stride would have beaten the winner who holds a rating of 83.

Just behind in third was Mysterious Times, who is now rated 86 having chased home a potential superstar on his latest start. 

The framing of the weights, which is linked to purchase price, means Etienne carries just 8st 8lb. That looks a lovely light racing weight, and with plenty of improvement likely, he looks to have a strong chance.