The 2024 July Festival at Newmarket - Betting Tips for Day 1

The Newmarket July Festival gets underway

The Newmarket July Festival meeting has arrived, and we have three brilliant days of racing ahead. For the opening day I have two hot betting tips for you. My NAP selection runs in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes, and this race promises to be a fascinating contest. My selection here stands out among his rivals, and the step up in distance should bring out even more improvement.

My second selection comes in the Bet365 Handicap, at a very backable each way price. This one has strong winning potential, and with the race sponsors offering five places, it's well worth taking advantage in this competitive field. Looking ahead to the rest of the week, I have a Lucky 15 lined up for Day 2 of the Festival and I've had good success with these in recent weeks, so let's hope for another profitable day.

Race sponsors Bet365 have an unmissable offer

As sponsors of the Heritage Handicap on Day 1, Bet365 are offering five places for the showcase race, and also a fantastic free bet deal for new customers. Bet £10, and you’ll get £30 in free bets. With two hot days of racing action ahead, why not take advantage?

13:50 Newmarket - The Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) 1m 5f - Ancient Wisdom @ 6/4 (NAP)

The Newmarket Festival kicks off with the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes and although there are only five runners, we have a really good contest here. Space Legend is an interesting contender for William Haggas. He steps up in trip again and this could potentially squeeze out more improvement. He ran a really good race in the King Edward Stakes at Royal Ascot behind Calandagan, and if he can find just a bit more, he may not be too far away again. At the time of writing, Portland is overpriced, but will most likely shorten overnight. However, he is starting to look a little exposed and would need the trip to bring out more in him for win purposes in my opinion.

I believe the one to side with here is Charlie Appleby’s runner, Ancient Wisdom, who is rated 6lbs ahead of his rivals and definitely looks the one to beat on previous form. He already has two wins here under his belt - one on soft ground and one on firm ground - so he is versatile when it comes to conditions and the step up trip looks well within his reach.

I will admit that he was very unsettled in the Derby last time out, and wandered across the track at an important stage of the race, but I am happy to put a line through that run for sure. Just be aware that he may drift a bit in the market, taking account of support for some of the other runners, but he sets a clear standard here and I think he will prove really tough to beat.

15:00 Newmarket - The Bet365 Heritage Handicap 6f - Two Tribes @ 16/1 EW

For my second selection, I’m heading for the six furlong Bet365 Heritage Handicap, and I’m convinced I’ve found an overpriced selection here. Elmonjed, the current favourite, holds strong credentials as an unexposed improver and his form behind James Delight at York last time gives him plenty of appeal. However, he doesn’t look entirely straightforward and that may be his downfall here. Woodhay Wonder makes plenty of appeal too, especially as a four-time course and distance winner, but all of his form comes on a faster surface, which poses a question this time..

Which leads me towards the Richard Spencer-trained Two Tribes at a big each way price. He is a nice improving sort, who possibly found the five furlong trip a little too sharp last time out, but the step back up to six furlongs will surely help him on his way. His best two efforts have come over that distance, and he was a big eye-catcher here back in May, when finishing just a length and a half behind James Delight.

That is good form, especially when you consider that the Elmonjed could only get within four lengths of him when they met. Admittedly, Two Tribes did hang to the right last time out, but he runs off a mark of 91, and the good to soft ground looks to be ideal for him. I think he can run a huge race here.

Betting tips for Day 1 of the Newmarket July Festival 👇

• 13:50 - Ancient Wisdom @ 6/4 (NAP)
• 15:00 - Two Tribes @ 16/1 EW

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