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Market watch: how do the key Flat races shape up after Epsom and Royal Ascot?

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 14:  Baaeed ridden by Jim Crowley wins The Queen Anne Stakes during Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 14, 2022 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Baaeed: superstar miler could step up in trip later in the seasonCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

The show is over at Epsom and Royal Ascot but there is plenty still to come, with big summer meetings like the July festival, Glorious Goodwood and the Ebor meeting not far away. Strong candidates for races like the St Leger and the Arc have emerged, even potential Classic hopes in 2023 have been unearthed.

This is how some of the big races look following the two big meetings.


Coral-Eclipse

Sandown, July 2

The favouriteNative Trail. He did not appear at Epsom or Royal Ascot but emerged at the top of the betting (11-4) after his Classic victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

Who has made an impression?State Of Rest emerged as a leading contender with his success in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday. He was cut to 6-1 (from 10) while Bay Bridge, beaten a length, is 5-1 to reverse the form. Real World was no match for Baaeed but is no bigger than 8-1 after another fine effort.

Who did we not see at Ascot or Epsom? Alenquer will head to Sandown according to trainer William Haggas and is just 8-1 in the betting. Mishriff, third to St Mark's Basilica last year, could also turn up.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 17:  Perfect Power ridden by Christophe Soumillon wins The Commonwealth Cup on day four of Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 17, 2022 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Perfect Power: leading contender at NewmarketCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Darley July Cup

Newmarket, July 9

The favourite Nature Strip tops the betting following a breathtaking King's Stand Stakes win but connections indicated the Everest back in Australia is his target.

Who has made an impression?Perfect Power is the up-and-coming name in the sprint division and halved in price for the July Cup at 4-1 (from 8) after his Commonwealth Cup win. Naval Crown and Creative Force battled out the finish in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes and are both 8-1.

Who did we not see? With 44 runners in the two 6f Group 1 contests at the Royal meeting, most bases for this were covered. Middle Park runner-up Castle Star has not raced this season but is no bigger than 16-1 for the race.

Desert Crown: could be seen at Ascot next
Desert Crown: could be seen at Ascot nextCredit: Edward Whitaker

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes

Ascot, July 23

The favourite Ascot's midsummer highlight could be a phenomenal contest, particularly if the Derby winner Desert Crown shows up. Sir Michael Stoute suggested this would be his next port of call following his sensational Epsom success and he is no bigger than 13-8.

Who has made an impression? Emily Upjohn enhanced her huge reputation despite being narrowly denied in the Oaks. She missed Royal Ascot and she remains a 5-1 shot. Her conqueror Tuesday is a 10-1 chance.

Broome was cut to 12-1 following his breezy win in Saturday's Hardwicke Stakes, while Hurricane Lane drifted to 7-1 (from 4) after his comeback third.

Who did we not see? Last year's winner Adayar missed the Coronation Cup due to a "minor setback" but is a 6-1 chance.

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 14:  Coroebus ridden by William Buick wins The St James's Palace Stakes during Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 14, 2022 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Coroebus: could take on Baaeed nextCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Qatar Sussex Stakes

Goodwood, July 27

The favouriteBaaeed continued his dominance in the mile division with success in the Queen Anne on Tuesday. He was marginally cut to 1-2 (from 4-6) for Goodwood, but is set to take on new three-year-old challengers now.

Who has made an impression? Coroebus reaffirmed his status as the leading three-year-old miler with victory in the St James's Palace Stakes. He had to dig deep to win it and as such drifted to 7-2 (from 9-4).

Who did we not see? Last year's Balmoral winner Aldaary scored stylishly on his return at Haydock. This is the only race he is currently entered in. Master Of The Seas (14-1) is another possible runner.

Mishriff -David Egan wins from the fieldThe Juddmonte International Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1)    York 18.8.21©mark cranhamphoto.com
Mishriff: could face stiff opposition at YorkCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Juddmonte International

York, August 17

The favourite The Juddmonte International could be something quite special. Baaeed, the brilliant miler, tops the market at 6-4 as connections have pointed at this race as the place he could first be tested beyond a mile.

Who has made an impression? He could be set for a mouthwatering clash with Derby hero Desert Crown on the Knavesmire if connections opt to drop him back to the ten-furlong trip. It is also an option for his Sir Michael Stoute-trained stablemate Bay Bridge and State Of Rest.

Who did we not see? Adayar and defending champion Mishriff are 8-1.

Westover (Rob Hornby) wins the Classic Trial from Cash (Jamie Spencer,centre) and GoldspurSandown 22.4.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Westover: tops the St Leger bettingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cazoo St Leger

Doncaster, September 10

The favouriteWestover did not get a clear passage in the Derby at the start of the month but his strong-staying third makes him the standout for the final Classic of the season.

Who has made an impression? Eldar Eldarov earned reduced quotes of 6-1 for the Leger following his narrow victory in the Queen's Vase over the same distance. The similarly brave Changingoftheguard also struck at the meeting and is a 7-1 chance.

Who didn't we see?Luxembourg was viewed as Aidan O'Brien's leading three-year-old colt heading into the campaign and, while he missed Epsom, is as short as 7-1 to strike at Doncaster.

Vadeni: France's leading challenger for the Arc at this stage
Vadeni: France's leading challenger for the Arc at this stageCredit: Frederic Vernichon

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Longchamp, October 2

The favourite He was explosive in the Derby and unsurprisingly Desert Crown is no bigger than 3-1 to complete a famous middle-distance double at Longchamp.

Who has made an impression? The home challenge is spearheaded by impressive Prix du Jockey Club champion Vadeni, while Emily Upjohn is 8-1 to continue a fine record in the race for fillies.

Last year's third Hurricane Lane drifted to 12-1 (from 7) after his defeat in the Hardwicke Stakes, while Westover is respected at 14-1.

2023 Classics: an early glance

2,000 Guineas
Coventry Stakes hero Bradsell is a 14-1 shot following his Royal Ascot heroics. The first foal from the brilliant Rhododendron, Auguste Rodin is generally 16-1 following an encouraging debut second at the Curragh. Godolphin's main hope Naval Power is the same odds.

1,000 Guineas
Meditate displayed her class in winning the Albany at the Royal meeting and bet365 were particularly impressed by shortening her to 8-1 (from 20). The Aidan O'Brien-trained Statuette missed Ascot but is next in the market at 14-1.

Derby
The aforementioned Auguste Rodin tops the market at 16-1. The previous favourite Alfred Munnings drifted to 40-1 following his Chesham no-show while the winner of that race, Holloway Boy, was introduced at 33-1.


Read these next:

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'Unbelievable' says Burke as 40-1 debutant Holloway Boy heads 66,000-1 tricast


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West Country correspondent

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