Is former Derby fancy New London thrown in off opening handicap mark?

Friday: 1.50 Newmarket
bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) | 1m2f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Mark Johnston has been utterly dominant in this 1m2f handicap with six winners from the last nine runnings and none have been short prices.

The Middleham trainer has saddled a winner at 6-1, another at 13-2 and three at 8-1, along with a 25-1 success in 2016. The market initially underestimated Johnston’s tendency to target this race as his and son Charlie's sole representative this season, Knightswood, opened up at double-figure odds with Frankie Dettori booked.

Johnston would doubtless have had other potential runners and Knightswood has the tools to outrun his price. Knightswood was progressing with each start until pitching up in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot for his handicap debut and raced closer to the pace than those who beat him when fading into sixth.

While Group-bound Missed The Cut proved in a different league to the others, Knightswood was not beaten far by the remainder and like so many of these unexposed three-year-olds, could have plenty more to offer.

There are other formlines at the royal meeting coming to the fore with Oh Herberts Reign and Yonafis set to test the strength of the Britannia Stakes. Yonafis was a never-nearer eighth there and has to be shortlisted given it was his turf debut and he finished powerfully.

On the visual evidence a step up to this distance should suit and the fact he is by Golden Horn, whose best progeny have thrived over staying trips, is further justification.

However, this could be all about New London, whose opening handicap mark of 99 is probably a gift. New London was as short as 5-1 for the Derby following an impressive novice defeat of Aldous Huxley, with Missed The Cut back in fourth.

Subsequent events have shown his Chester Vase second to Changingoftheguard, who benefited from an outstanding front-running ride under Ryan Moore that day, is better than it looked and this might be the last time we see New London in a handicap for a while.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Botti hoping for calmer preliminaries for War Horse

Marco Botti is hoping the application of a red hood to the start will help War Horse get back on the right track.

War Horse improved to win a handicap at Sandown in May but could only manage third last month at Epsom behind Swilcan Bridge, who he meets on 2lb better terms. The three-year-old got worked up on his way to the start on Derby day but Botti hopes the red hood can help settle his gelding.

Marco Botti: saddles War Horse in this 1m2f handicapCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Botti said: "War Horse got a bit wound up before the start at Epsom with all the noise of Derby day so we have applied to fit him with a red hood to the start for the first time to see if that helps. He still ran well that day to finish a staying on third in a close finish and he should be okay on the July course having handled that and also Sandown.

"Ideally he would have a bit of cut in the ground but he’s a good moving son of Sea The Stars so should be okay on it. He goes there with another solid each-way chance.”

What they say

James Doyle, rider of Natural World
He’s back from a break so should improve for the run. He has a chance in a very competitive event.

William Haggas, trainer of Yonafis
He ran well to be eighth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and should handle the track okay. He shapes as if this trip will suit him and he’s been going well at home since Ascot. I expect him to run another good race.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Oh Herberts Reign
He has form with one or two in the race and likes fast ground so hopefully he should be thereabouts again. He’s handily drawn in stall two so hopefully can get a decent position.

David Probert, rider of Schmilsson
Hopefully he can bounce back from a disappointing run at Royal Ascot in what was a competitive race. He should handle the track and we are hopeful he can be in the mix.

Tom Palin, spokesman for Middleham Park Racing, owners of Nolton Cross
It's a big day for him as we've always liked him and it's time he started showing us on the track what he does at home. He ran well at Sandown the time before last when Harry Davies said he should have made more use of him but it all went wrong at Epsom last time when he blew the start and didn't handle the track. He worked well with an older horse on Wednesday and there will be no excuses.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Reelemin
He's improved from two to three but I was surprised by the level of performance he put up when winning at Sandown on his reappearance as he shows little at home. He has no weight and a good jockey and should run well but the easier the ground the better.
Reporting by David Milnes

Friday's Newmarket previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Is former Derby fancy New London thrown in off opening handicap mark?

2.25 Newmarket: Who will come out on top as Royal Ascot races are pitched against each other?

3.00 Newmarket: Can Candleford follow up his stunning success at Royal Ascot in bet365 Trophy?

3.35 Newmarket: Gosden hopes to avoid 'trappy race' for red-hot Falmouth favourite Inspiral

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