14:25 Newmarket

Thursday 7 July 2022

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Close Brothers July Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 11.18s

(7)

Brave Nation²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: M L W Bell| OR: 101

6/1

57,000 gns Sioux Nation colt who made all in good style in 5f Doncaster maiden on debut in April. Much better than the result when fourth in a messy Norfolk and he is open to improvement.

Form: 14

(6)

Harry Time²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Leigh Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| D

25/1

Bred to be precocious and looked a good prospect as he justified strong support in Navan maiden on debut in May. Mid-field in the Coventry, not quite seeing out the 6f at that stage of his career.

Form: 18

(1)

King's Crown²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Barry McHugh| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 87| D

100/1

Put experience to good use when off the mark at the fourth attempt in Thirsk maiden (6f) in May. Fared about as well as could be expected in the Coventry.

Form: 23210

(5)

Mysterious Night²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

4/1

Bred to be smart and having finished a nose-second on debut at Newbury, he landed the odds without too much difficulty at the same track (6.5f) a month ago. Can leave bare form of that behind.

Form: 21

(3)

Persian Force²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 108| D

1/2

Totally outclassed 11 rivals in the Brocklesby and improved in form terms when following up in 3-runner novice under a penalty at Newbury. Strong at the finish when runner-up in the Coventry and he's a key form player.

Form: 112

(4)

Show Respect²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: B J Meehan| OR: 89| D

33/1

Showcasing colt who left debut run well behind when scoring in maiden company at Leicester, impressing with his strength at the finish. Made little impression after meeting trouble in the Coventry.

Form: 410

(2)

Waiting All Night²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Spencer| OR: 100

20/1

Made a successful debut in maiden at Wolverhampton, becoming the first winner for the sire. Well held in the National Stakes but seemed to excel himself tackling 6f when an excellent fifth in the Coventry.

Form: 155

Non-Runners

(8)

Little Big Bear²²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 2

T: A P O'Brien J: R L Moore

Forecasts

Persian Force (1/2), Little Big Bear (13/8), Mysterious Night (4/1), Brave Nation (6/1), Waiting All Night (20/1), Harry Time (25/1), Show Respect (33/1), King's Crown (100/1)

The Windsor Castle and Coventry formlines are represented here with LITTLE BIG BEAR, the winner of the former, taking on Persian Force, runner-up in the latter. There's precious little between them on Timeform ratings, but Aidan O'Brien's charge arguably possesses the greater scope for progress, particularly back at 6f. Of the rest, Brave Nation will hopefully show what he is truly capable of this time.