quest for more looks solid

This is one of those weekends when punters hardly know where to start and jockeys’ agents probably need to lie down in a darkened room. Indeed, it is quite surprising that there are enough riders to go round when so many Grade 1 tracks race on the same day.

To cut to the chase, the main feature is the Darley July Cup at Newmarket, where four or five of them seem so closely matched that luck in running is almost certain to play a part. Twilight Son just holds four of them on Diamond Jubilee running but only by inches and he does not have the assistance of Ryan Moore this time. The former champion will be on Air Force Blue, a danger to all if appreciating the drop back in distance. At a very big price I can see Suedois nicking a place following his fifth in the Ascot race but it has to be to very small stakes. I doubt that the sixth furlong will suit Profitable, so my other one would be Richard Fahey’s DON’T TOUCH, who looked good at Salisbury and is probably still improving.

As usual, Fahey has chances all around the country and the other one of his to take the eye is RIGHT TOUCH in the valuable six-furlong handicap at Chester. He is drawn low enough to get an early pitch and Paddy Mathers has teamed up successfully with the trainer of late.

Another booking to take the eye is that of Pat Smullen for Kevin Ryan’s LEXINGTON ABBEY in the 2.45 at Ascot. This is worth a great deal of money and Lexington Abbey, who might well have been an Ayr Gold Cup horse, looks quite well treated.

At York, I’ve waited for Tim Easterby’s ONE WORD MORE since a good third at the Dante meeting and the longish absence worries me. Even so, a small wager with the excellent Rachel Richardson on board is justified, while the nap would have to be Roger Charlton’s QUEST FOR MORE, who missed the Marathon at Sandown last week because of soft ground.