Newsboy's day three picks at Newmarket's July meeting including nap Azure Blue

14 July 2023 , 16:31

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The Newmarket July course hosts the six-furlong Darley July Cup on Saturday. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)

AZURE BLUE (4.35, ITV, nap) is fancied to put punters in the black by landing the Pertemps Network July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

Michael Dods’ filly had a BHA rating of 77 when landing a six-furlong handicap at Hamilton in June last year.

The grey is now on a figure of 114 on the back of a further five victories that have seen Azure Blue rise through the ranks to take on Group One opposition for the first time today.

Azure Blue ended last season with a win in the Listed Boadicea Stakes at Newmarket in October and defied a penalty in the same-level Ellen Chaloner Stakes over the final three-quarters of the Rowley Mile on the 2,000 Guineas undercard in May.

The Newmarket July course hosts the Pertemps Network July Cup on Saturday

Her half-length success from Highfield Princess in the Group 2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes at York in May showed Paul Mulrennan’s mount is ready to shine in the top tier – and Azure Blue can prove the point.

Newsboy’s Daily Double plus tips on every race from Thursday’s four meetings

SHINING BLUE (4.00) is of strong interest back in handicap company for the bet365 Bunbury Cup.

After returning from Dubai for a four-length margin in this sphere at York in May, the top weight wasn’t discredited in Listed grade back at the Knavesmire next time.

It would be no great surprise if Saeed bin Suroor were to tease out a little further progress as Shining Blue competes on turf for the 12th time.

He created a stirring impression in victory at the Curragh at the start of the month, and CITY OF TROY (3.25) is expected to take his tally to 2-2 in the Group 2 bet365 Superlative Stakes.

Earlier in the final day of the July Festival, ROYAL DUBAI (2.50) looks good for Neil Callan and Marco Botti in the bet365 Mile Handicap.

Saturday tips

NEWMARKET
1.40 CONTENT
2.15 DESERT VOICE
2.50 ROYAL DUBAI
3.25 CITY OF TROY
4.00 SHINING BLUE
4.35 AZURE BLUE (NAP)
5.10 REINA DEL MAR

ASCOT
1.45 ZARZYNI
2.20 MASTER OF THE SEAS
2.55 AL MUSMAK
3.30 REAL DREAM
4.05 FULFILLED
4.40 FARHH TO SHY
5.15 FINAL WATCH

YORK
2.00 LA TRINIDAD
2.35 SILKY WILKIE
3.10 NOBEL
3.45 HAMISH
4.20 ONIGIRI
4.55 MALAKAHNA
5.30 ROUNDHAY PARK

CHESTER
2.07 SHE’S A NOVELTY
2.42 DESERT MASTER
3.17 WINTER CROWN
3.52 LUSAKA
4.27 WITCH HUNTER
5.00 ARRANMORE

SALISBURY
5.05 KING OF SPEED
5.40 COOL DIVIDEND
6.15 MONTAUK POINT
6.45 ALEXANDRETTA
7.15 MLLE CHANEL
7.45 FLAMMABLE
8.15 MR FREEDOM

HAMILTON PARK
6.00 HEED THE CALL
6.30 ASTAPOR (NB)
7.00 B ASSOCIATES
7.30 TWO AULD PALS
8.00 FLYING MOON
8.30 BAY DREAM BELIEVER

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David Yates