Newmarket July Meeting Day 1 predictions: Go to war with Two Tribes

- Newmarket July meeting Day 1: Best bet, each-way selection and treble
- Recommended bets include:  
- Two Tribes to win
- The Ice Phoenix each-way

The opening day of the Newmarket July meeting takes place on Thursday. It contains two Group 2s, including the Princess Of Wales's Stakes, as well as the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy which is traditionally the first real St Leger trial.

The feature slot on the card belongs to the Princess Of Wales's Stakes (3.35pm), which includes old favourites like Hamish and Outbox as well as last year's Derby favourite Arrest. The other Group 2 is the July Stakes (2.25pm) for two-year-olds, while the card opens with the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (1.50pm).

Day 1 - Key info

First race: 1.50pm Bahrain Trophy

Feature race: 3.35pm Princess of Wales's Stakes

The Princess Of Wales's Stakes is one of the major stops for the season among the second-tier of middle-distance horses. Its winners tend to earn a shot at the top level, often in the King George at Ascot later this month.

This year's field is headed by Hamish, who is a popular and consistent sort at this level. He has won eight Group 3s and was second in the Group 1 Coronation Cup last time. His main threats come from St Leger second Arrest and Yorkshire Cup winner Giavaletto. Stayers can win this race, Big Orange did it twice. 

The Bahrain Trophy (1.50) is the first St Leger trial, and to be honest not always the strongest but the presence of the classy Ancient Wisdom means that could change this year. The July Stakes (2.25) often allows scores to be settled form Royal Ascot and this year beaten Norfolk Stakes favourite Whistlejacket takes on Coventry second Electrolyte.

Best bet of the day 

Two Tribes to win the 3.00pm @ 11/1

This sprint handicap for three-year-olds, which can produce Group horses of the near future, is arguably the last of its type for the season. On softer ground, the draw bias swings towards the lower stalls and Two Tribes in stall three represents some good form.

He was second in a race at the Guineas meeting which has a similar sort of feel to this one. This year's winner, James's Delight, has already won at Listed level. Two Tribes shaped as well as him in May and is excused his run in the Holyrood House at Royal Ascot last time, as he raced in a group which struggled to get involved. The draw has hopefully been kinder this time.

Best each-way bet of the day

The Ice Phoenix in the 5.20pm @ 13/2

William Buick and Charlie Hills has an 18% strike-rate when combining, with 48 wins from 274 examples. That is nothing remarkable on the rider's overall numbers, but it is an improvement on Hills' everyday winning record and so it is worth noting that he has Buick on The Ice Phoenix here.

This horse was on a steep upward curve when winning at Ascot in May. He has since flopped at Haydock, but his overall profile is encouraging and he is bred to prove a lot better than his current rating. His dam is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Wootton Basset, who won his Group 1 on soft ground.

Day 1 acca

Every day of Newmarket's July meeting we will be suggesting an acca to give punters a big win. On day one, our treble pays 25/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Bet 1: Back Ancient Wisdom to win the Bahrain Trophy (1.50pm) @ Evens

This horse won a Group 1 on heavy ground last year, so conditions will be no issue. In fact, a return to testing conditions for the first time this year might revive his career, which has dipped following runs in the Dante and Derby.

Bet 2: Back Electrolyte to win the July Stakes (2.25pm) @ 9/4

This expensive purchase was a bit of a surprise second in the Coventry Stakes, but his breeding and price tag suggest there was no fluke about it. He can take another step forward against Whistlejack.

Bet 3: Back Arrest to win the Princess Of Wales's Stakes (3.35pm) @ 3/1

His good runs, including a Chester Vase win and St Leger second, all came on softer ground. It was quick when he made his reappearance at Chester in May and much better is expected now.