Horse Racing

Thursday ITV tips: Best bets for Newmarket and Carlisle

Scott AllenScott Allen6 July 2022
Master Of The Seas ridden by William Buick wins Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket

Master Of The Seas ridden by William Buick wins Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket

Planet Sport tipsters mark your card for Thursday's ITV action from Newmarket's July Festival and Carlisle with a selection for each of the five live races.

It's the first day of the July Festival and ITV are showing some Group 2 and 3 action from Newmarket, plus a sharp six furlong handicap up at Carlisle.

Here's a snapshot of Planet Sport's hot tips for Thursday, with a bit of extra detail on each horse below that. You can follow all the latest racecards and results using our live centres at Newmarket and Carlisle.

13:50 (Newmarket) Zechariah

14:25 (Newmarket) Persian Force

14:45 (Carlisle) Razeyna

15:00 (Newmarket) Khanjar

15:35 (Newmarket) Yibir

13:50 (Newmarket) Zechariah

Zechariah should get the slight edge in the Bahrain Trophy after only just missing out in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He was beaten by a nose by favourite Eldar Eldarov, who is now one of the ones to watch for the St Leger.

Martyn and Freddie Meade's three-year-old beat Irish Derby winner Westover back in September 2001, but has struggled in two shorter trips earlier this season.
Andrew Balding's Derby fourth-place Masekela will provide the biggest challenge.

14:25 (Newmarket) Persian Force

Persian Force can get the better of Little Big Bear in the Close Brothers July Stakes.
Richard Hannon's youngster is on course to be one of the best Brocklesby winners of all time, and found just Archie Watson's Bradsell too good in the Coventry Stakes.
There was no disgrace in that and while Little Big Bear was an Ascot winner in the Windsor Castle Stakes, that race is traditionally the weaker of the Royal meeting's juvenile events.

14:45 (Carlisle) Razeyna

A drop in trip for the British EBF Fillies' Handicap should suit the William Haggas-trained Razeyna after being the beaten favourite at her last two outings at Chester and Newcastle in May.

A winner at seven furlongs on good ground in her first race in April, and has shown plenty of promise. Stevie Donohoe will pilot again.

Course winner Ey Up It's Maggie and Monica, who won a novice contest over course and distance last month, should also be considered.

15:00 (Newmarket) Khanjar

Khanjar looks to be on a steep upward curve for William Haggas and is taken to defy a 9lb rise in the Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap.
Lightly raced, he had loads in hand of another unexposed sprinter in Azure Blue and the two meet again.
Despite the revised terms, Khanjar is taken to confirm his superiority.

15:35 (Newmarket) Yibir

Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir was disappointing in the Man o'War Stakes at Belmont in May, but can bounce back in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Close Brothers Stakes.

The Charlie Appleby-trained gelding was unlucky when finishing second in the Sheema Classic in Meydan in March, which was followed by a dissapointing second at Newmarket in May. So is always in the hunt.

Mostahdaf is the biggest threat; the John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old finished unlucky seconds in his last two races, and scored a hat-trick of wins before that, including two Group 3 victories.

    Related News