Newmarket July Festival 2025: Day 1 Analysis and Betting Tips

The flat racing season just keeps on providing the goods, with Newmarket's July Festival starting on Thursday afternoon.

Races Now's Harry Fowler (@Harry_Fowler8) will be on hand with daily previews of the action, starting with a run through the opening card here.

The July Festival is the feature meeting at the Newmarket July Course and always delivers a fantastic feast of action for flat fans.

Day 1 kicks things off with Ladies Day – the highlight of which is the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes, where the recent £2 million purchase Ghostwriter looks to open his account in the Amo Racing colours.

Newmarket July Festival – Day 1 betting tips and analysis

1:50pm – Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) – 1m5f

Just five runners line up here, and four of them clashed last time out in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.

Furthur heads the market, and it’s easy to see why. He finished second in the Queen’s Vase and had earlier contested the Chester Vase, form which has worked out well.

The most interesting runner for me is Nightime Dancer – the only horse in the field not to have contested the Queen’s Vase.

He was last seen in the Derby, where he was tailed off for much of the race before running on eye-catchingly to finish a respectable eighth.

That effort came in stronger company, and with an extra furlong here, I think he’ll relish the test and could overturn the form.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win - Nightime Dancer 11/2 (Coral)

2:25pm – July Stakes (Group 2) – 6f

A small but intriguing field of six exciting two-year-olds.

Maximized is favourite following an impressive Derby Day victory, where the runner-up went on to win the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot.

It wouldn’t be one of my columns without referencing that Newbury maiden, which has produced numerous winners.

Do Or Do Not finished 14th in that race but has since ran two crackers, including a second at 80/1 at Royal Ascot. At current prices, I’m happy to keep the Coventry runner-up on side in what looks a competitive heat.

Harry’s Selection – 0.5pt win - Do Or Do Not 15/2 (Sky Bet/PP)

3:00pm – bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) – 6f

After two small-field Group races, we now head into a wide-open 18-runner handicap, which is currently around 6/1 the field.

One who catches the eye is Crestofdistinction, a five-and-a-half-length winner on just his second handicap start at Wolverhampton. That win came off a mark of 85; he runs here off 91 but is due to go up another 10lbs.

On handicap debut, he was two and a half lengths behind Hucklesbrook (also in this field) while giving him 4lbs – and Hucklesbrook has since won again.

This time, Crestofdistinction receives 5lbs. Trainer Jack Channon is in flying form too, operating at a 27% strike rate.

Harry’s Selection – 0.75pt each-way – Crestofdistinction 8/1 (bet365 – 5 places)

3:35pm – Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Group 2) – 1m4f

The feature race of the day. Ghostwriter is the favourite and has solid form, though he doesn't strike me as a natural winner – I'm still not sure how he fetched £2 million.

I’m more interested in the only three-year-old in the race, Wimbledon Hawkeye. An aptly-named horse for this time of the year!

He’s always looked like he wanted this kind of trip. Cheekpieces were tried last time, but that backfired – he was keen and hung left, yet still finished respectably.

The headgear is off here, the ground will suit, and he’s performed well at Newmarket before.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win Wimbledon Hawkeye 4/1 (General)

4:10pm – Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – 6f

Nine fillies look to get off the mark. Country Artiste sets the form standard after two runs, improving last time out.

With nearly half the field debuting, it’s a tricky betting heat. Nothing stands out strongly at this stage. If getting involved, I’d advise watching the market for any significant moves.

Harry’s Selection – No bet

4:45pm – Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed) – 1m

Opera Ballo is a worthy favourite here.

His raw talent has always been apparent, but he's been a work in progress – especially when it comes to settling in his races. He pulled hard in the Craven and even when winning again recently.

He carries a 3lb penalty here but still looks a cut above the rest. It is interesting to note Charlie Appleby also saddles the outsider Spectacular View, who may be in to help settle the pace for his headstrong stablemate.

Harry’s Selection – 2pt win – Opera Ballo 5/4 (General)

5:20pm – Newmarket Handicap – 1m

Parole d’Oro is favourite and must be respected. He’s lightly raced and was unlucky on handicap debut after suffering multiple traffic issues.

However, the one I’m drawn to is Boyfriend, who was narrowly beaten by My Cloud at Newbury. That rival went on to win off 6lbs higher in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot and is now set to run in Group 2 company.

Boyfriend remains lightly raced, is clearly improving, and looks primed to go well in the lucky last.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win – Boyfriend 5/1 (bet365)

Harry Fowler's best bets at Newmarket on July 10, 2025

•⁠  ⁠1:50 – 1pt win Nightime Dancer 11/2 (Coral)

•⁠  ⁠2:25 – 0.5pt win Do Or Do Not 15/2 (Sky Bet/PP)

•⁠  ⁠3:00 – 0.75pt ew Crestofdistinction 8/1 (bet365 – 5 places)

•⁠  ⁠3:35 – 1pt win Wimbledon Hawkeye 4/1 (General)

•⁠  ⁠4:10 – No bet

•⁠  ⁠4:45 – 2pt win Opera Ballo 5/4 (General)

•⁠  ⁠5:20 – 1pt win Boyfriend 5/1 (bet365)