Super Saturday's big questions answered: why it may be futile going against this hot favourite at Newmarket

What is the big race of Super Saturday?

That would undoubtedly be the Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup (4.35), which brings together some intriguing strands of form. Notable Speech is the most fascinating runner because he has never run over sprinting distances but was parachuted in at the supplementary stage. 

Last year's 2,000 Guineas and Sussex winner performed satisfactorily when fourth in the Lockinge and the Queen Anne, but his tendency to quarrel with William Buick and race too keenly was particularly evident at Ascot.

It's a bold decision from Charlie Appleby to take aim at the race, but definitely one I'm firmly behind given Notable Speech's strong-travelling nature and adoration for quick ground. The key will be if he can go the early gallop – if he does, he'll be very difficult to fend off, but if he's uncomfortable from the outset this experiment will go downhill fast.

Flora Of Bermuda is capable of picking up pieces given her consistency at the top level, while Whistlejacket probably wants cut in the ground to be at his very best.

Last year's beaten favourite Inisherin's form is becoming too volatile, while a victory would be a fitting swansong for George Boughey's splendid filly Believing, who can be easily forgiven her Ascot run having done the donkey work on an unfavourable part of the track.

Is More Thunder too short for the Bunbury Cup?

At 6-4, it'd be easy to say More Thunder is too short followed by the futile proviso that he's the most likely winner, but he just wins and I've no issue with backing him at 11-8 or bigger.

His Newmarket win in May came in a very strong time and he had plenty, including me, tearing their hair out as he charged home in vain to suffer an agonising defeat behind Get It in the Wokingham at Ascot.

Given where he was at the two-furlong pole in relation to the winner and eventual third, it was a remarkable effort. He ran the fastest last two furlongs in the race and his final one was quicker than every participant who contested the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on the same card.

What else catches the eye at Newmarket?

I like Miss Nightfall's chances in the 7f fillies' handicap (2.12). The race setup went completely against her in the Sandringham but she still shaped really well.

Mister Winston ran into some useful types before winning impressively at Chester last month, pulling miles clear with another promising sort. He looks to have a good chance on his handicap debut in the mile handicap (3.25). 

What's the main event at York?

The John's Smith Cup (3.10) looks hard to solve as usual.

Big-field, middle-distance British handicaps are far from my speciality, but this race has had just one winning favourite in the last 19 years and that was last year's Champion Stakes hero Anmaat off a mark of 103 in 2022.

I don't see him as a future Champion Stakes winner, but I thought Faylaq shaped well in the Northumberland Plate given it paid to be ridden conservatively at Newcastle that day. He ran a cracker to be fifth, only beaten four lengths, and tends to run well at this venue.

Read more:

Can the Pricewise plunge horse now 5-1 from 25-1 make Aidan O'Brien the July Cup's most successful trainer? 

Charlie Appleby has 'a lot of confidence' in Notable Speech - but Aidan O'Brien highlights scale of momentous mission 

Paul Kealy's play of the day at York 

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