Four dark horses to note at Newmarket's July festival and York's Dante fixture

The top-class Flat action continues this week with the three-day July festival at Newmarket starting on Thursday, on the same day racing returns at York, where the Dante takes centre stage. Here are four dark horses to note across the meetings . . .

Jimmy Sparks (3.00 Newmarket, Thursday)

Brian Meehan landed the Tattersalls July Stakes with Arcano in 2009 and saddles intriguing 20-1 shot Jimmy Sparks in this year’s renewal on day one of the July festival.

Jimmy Sparks was an eyecatcher on debut on the Rowley Mile when sixth in a 6f novice – one place and half a length behind subsequent Coventry Stakes scorer Nando Parrado – then struck on his second start at the same track.

Jimmy Sparks: successful on his second start at Newmarket on the Rowley Mile courseCredit: Dan Abraham/Pool

The form of his victory has already been boosted with runner-up Bonnyrigg winning next time and fourth Sidi Mansour finishing second at Yarmouth. This is a big step up in grade but Jimmy Sparks looks a viable each-way contender with Luke Morris in the saddle.

Dash Of Spice (3.00 Newmarket, Friday)

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes scorer Dash Of Spice has not been in action since a beaten favourite in the John Smith’s Cup at York in 2018 but is set to make his return from a 727-day layoff in the bet365 Trophy.

The David Elsworth-trained six-year-old is a three-time winner and three-time runner-up from eight starts and Silvestre de Sousa is booked to ride the general 14-1 shot in the £60,000 handicap. William Hill are offering a standout 25-1.

Dash Of Spice: just one run since Royal Ascot success two years agoCredit: Edward Whitaker

It will be the training performance of the meeting if Dash Of Spice strikes off such a long break and it will be interesting to see how he fares.

Lord Of The Lodge (3.35 Newmarket, Saturday)

There is no doubt Lord Of The Lodge requires a career-best effort to be involved at the finish in the Darley July Cup but ante-post quotes of 40-1 may underestimate his claims.

A first try over seven furlongs on soft ground in the Jersey at Royal Ascot probably stretched his stamina and his second to Threat – an 8-1 chance for the same race – in the Gimcrack last year suggests he could be overpriced.

Lord Of The Lodge (far): second to Threat in last year's GimcrackCredit: Edward Whitaker

Quick ground will suit and Ben Curtis’s mount could outrun his juicy odds.

And one on the Knavesmire . . .

Albaflora (2.40 York, Thursday)

This Kirsten Rausing-owned homebred is a half-sister to the talented Alyssa, Alea Iacta and Aloe Vera and created a favourable impression when successful on debut at Haydock.

She stayed on nicely to prevail, with subsequent winner Matthew Flinders in third, and tackles Group 3 company on her second start in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

Khalid Abdullah’s trio of Franconia, Ricetta and Pocket Square head the betting but the ability of Albaflora is unknown and 25-1 looks inviting in a race Rausing celebrated victory with Madame Chiang in 2014.

Read more if you were interested in this . . .

Confirmed runners for York's Dante meeting and day one of the July festival

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