Ratings Update: Limato warms up nicely for July Cup

A generally low-key weekend following five days of top-class action at Royal Ascot. The Northumberland Plate was the big handicap of the weekend at Newcastle and, as usual these days, the field was largely devoid of up-and-comers, the winner Who Dares Wins (up 2 lb to 111) a reliable staying handicapper who had gone close to landing a big pot on several occasions, finally doing so at the age of seven. He is a well-established performer, however, and it is hard to think he had to improve to win. The runner-up, Dubawi Fifty (up 3 lb to 110), ran a cracker after 12 months off, and there should be more to come from him, still lightly raced for a six-year-old after all.

ICYMI

Who Dares Wins produced a strong finish to take the Betfair Exchange Northumberland Plate at @NewcastleRaces!https://t.co/htnX2ClOTh pic.twitter.com/IJ2fDZayPA

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) 29 June 2019

Earlier on the card, Invincible Army (remains on 124) won what was a substandard renewal of the Chipchase Stakes. He wasted no time bouncing right back to form down in grade having run disappointingly in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, proving way too good for some inferior rivals. The two times he has run in Group 1 company he has been underwhelming, but this performance means he will be back at the highest level next time, though connections reportedly aren’t sold on the idea of running in the July Cup at Newmarket.

The Midsummer Stakes at Windsor was a well-contested renewal on paper, at least four of the seven all closely matched on their best turf form, but it was the well-supported Matterhorn (up 2 lb to 118) who came out on top to record a first win on turf. A high-class performer on the all-weather, he put up as good of an effort as he ever has on turf to run out a cosy winner, though he was seen to maximum effect on the day under a well-judged front-running ride. A return to pattern company likely beckons now, but he will likely find things tougher in deeper races on turf.

Summer Romance (107p from 88P) put up an exciting performance in Newmarket’s opener on Saturday, a listed heat that is often one of the weaker races of its type, coming hot on the heels of Royal Ascot as it does. This looks an exception to the norm, though, with the level that the most progressive Summer Romance ran to putting her among the best of her age and sex so far, and she wouldn’t have been out of place in the Albany at the Royal meeting. The timefigure backs up what was a visually impressive performance and she will be out in pattern company next; a very exciting prospect who is one to keep on the right side.

Summer Romance notches up another victory after taking the opening contest in commanding style, for @godolphin
👏👏@RandoxHealth pic.twitter.com/xV58xTKPNx

— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) 29 June 2019

The Criterion Stakes was a good renewal which saw a very smart performance from Limato (up 1 lb to 123), who was conceding 5 lb to each of his seven rivals. He boasts a good record on the July Course, and showed the benefit of his reappearance run to resume winning ways, looming up three furlongs out and showing a good attitude to hold off the less-exposed Glorious Journey (down 2 lb to 117). Limato probably isn’t the force of old, but the July Cup – a race he won in 2016 and finished runner-up in 2017 – looks the logical next step, with a repeat of this form good enough to see him placed in an average renewal.

A small field went to post for the mile and a half listed race on the same card, and it was the lightly-raced Wells Farhh Go (up 2 lb to 116) who won in convincing fashion. He set a sound pace, and there’s no denying that this was an accurate reflection of where these horses are these days, Wells Farhh Go showing himself as good as ever after 10 months off. Both his two-year-old and three-year-old campaigns were cut short through injury, but he’s a likeable type who certainly has the right attitude, and he should continue to give a good account provided he stays sound. Things will be more difficult back in pattern company, but he does have the option in going back up in trip, looking the type that will be suited by a sterner test of stamina.

Over at the Curragh, the Irish Derby also took place on Saturday, a highly-anticipated renewal in which three of the first four home in the Epsom equivalent reopposed. The race itself proved to be a big anti-climax, though, Sovereign (123 from 107) and Norway, ostensibly the Ballydoyle pacemakers, not needing to work too hard to open up a big lead on the others, a shock on the cards from some way out, the former going further clear early in the straight and having the race in safe keeping soon after.

Still scratching your head as to how Sovereign ran away with the Irish Derby? Watch what our special guests on #LuckOnSunday had to say about the Classic >>> https://t.co/MoHZGDrVRU … pic.twitter.com/fQGzfNW8c9

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) 1 July 2019

Sovereign became the longest-priced winner since Weavers Hall in 1973, supplying Aidan O'Brien with a thirteenth win in the race, and it was another feather in the cap of Padraig Beggy, who was riding his first winner of the year, and indeed has had just a handful of winners since taking the 2017 Epsom Derby on Wings of Eagles. The runner-up and short-priced favourite Anthony Van Dyck (remains on 125) is better judged on his previous form, getting as close as could be expected in the circumstances, left with far too much to do. The King George and Grand Prix de Paris reportedly remain under consideration, and it wouldn't come as any great surprise to see him in some form of headgear next time.

A small field went to post for the Railway Stakes, but it is still form to be positive about, with Siskin (up 6 lb to 111p) dismissing the opposition in the manor of a potential top-notcher and runner-up Monarch of Egypt (105p from 99p) also emerging with his reputation enhanced. Siskin was all the rage in the market and duly landed the odds with the minimum of fuss, confirming himself one of the best seen in the division so far this year. The Phoenix Stakes is the obvious next port of call and he will be a big player there with further improvement forthcoming.

Siskin maintains his unbeaten record, making it 3-3 under @ctkjockey after taking the GAIN Railway Stakes in emphatic style 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/QJT3jZul5d

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) 29 June 2019

On Friday, Iridessa (116 from 107) showed much improved form tackling a mile and a quarter for the first time when winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. She will be the one to beat now in the Irish Oaks, her strength at the finish on Friday suggesting she’ll have no problem stepping up to a mile and a half.  Last weeks racing

The Grand Prix de Saint Cloud was another Group 1 that took place this weekend and it was won by the John Gosden-trained Coronet (remains on 119). It wasn’t the strongest renewal of the race, and Coronet didn’t have to improve to go one place better than last year, things opening up nicely on the rail for her and she stayed on strongly to lead well inside the final furlong. She will likely prove vulnerable in a better quality Group 1, though it's probably a case of job done now in terms of bagging one before she eventually goes to stud.