One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Thursday

Trainer

Charlie Appleby has the ammunition to enjoy a memorable first day of Newmarket's July festival with seven runners on the card.

The Godolphin trainer will go in search of a second successive win in the Bahrain Trophy Stakes (1.50), won by Yibir last year, as Walk Of Stars fights for favouritism with the Andrew Balding-trained Masekela.

Mysterious Night, who has a win and a second in two starts, is a contender for the two-year-old Close Brothers July Stakes (2.25), while Yibir and Global Storm head for the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Close Brothers Stakes (3.35).

Charlie Appleby: will be hoping to start the Newmarket July festival in styleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Albahr's unbeaten run of four came to an end at Meydan in January, but the Summer Stakes winner has a solid chance in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (4.10).

Appleby will also saddle Noble Dynasty and Echo Point in the 1m handicap (4.40).

Jockey

All eyes once again will be on Frankie Dettori, who returns to Newmarket with the backing of John and Thady Gosden following the swift end to their brief sabbatical.

The jockey has two rides on the opening day of the July festival. Mighty Ulysses, who is trained by the Gosdens, will line up in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

Dettori's other ride on Thursday comes in the Princess of Wales's as he partners general 16-1 shot New Mandate for Ralph Beckett.

Horse

Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir will face another stern test when he comes up against Mostahdaf and four other rivals in the Princess of Wales's Stakes.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old will be partnered by jockeys' championship leader William Buick.

Living Legend leads Yibir home at Newmarket in AprilCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Although Living Legend, who is third favourite for this 1m4f contest, has beaten Yibir on the Rowley Mile this season, last year's Bahrain Trophy winner has a huge opportunity to regain the winning thread.

Race

The Close Brothers July Stakes (2.25) has the potential to be a thrilling two-year-old clash with some high-class sprinters among a select field of eight.

Windsor Castle winner Little Big Bear is set for an enthralling battle with Coventry Stakes runner-up Persian Force. The pair both have a record of two wins and a second from three starts.

The latter was unfortunate to lose his unbeaten record during the royal meeting, but trainer Richard Hannon is aiming for back-to-back wins in the 6f contest, having won with Lusail last year.

Mysterious Night, a recent winner at Newbury, cannot be ruled out, while the five remaining horses have all registered at least one success.

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