Check out the latest tips from Simon Holt
Check out the latest tips from Simon Holt

Simon Holt best bets for Newmarket on Friday


Top commentator Simon Holt tipped Wells Farhh Go at Newmarket on Thursday and he's back with two best bets for Friday's card at the July Festival.

Recommended Bets: July Festival, day two

1pt win Saluti in 1.50 Newmarket at 4/1

1pt win Zaaki in 3.00 Newmarket at 7/2

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With Alpha Centauri odds-on and hard to oppose in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, after her record-breaking romp at Royal Ascot, ZAAKI could prove the best bet on the second day of Newmarket's July Festival.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt is set to carry top weight in the bet365 Handicap but is actually taking a drop in class having finished strongly to take third in the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

I thought that was an eye-catching effort; Zaaki was way back in the field and trapped towards the inside when the field turned for home and the horses in front and just behind him at the finish were all ridden more prominently.

This will be the colt's fourth run for Stoute, and he seems to have improved a good deal this season having earlier won at Thirsk (from subsequent winner New Graduate, the pair 11 lengths clear) before not getting the best of runs when finishing third behind the re-opposing Poets Prince and Desert Wind at Chelmsford, his only appearance on an artificial surface.

With the Ascot third looking a step forward and the uphill finish on Newmarket's July course likely to suit this strong finisher in the hands of Ryan Moore, Zaaki may have enough class to concede the weight.

Also clashing again are Wissahickon and Beringer who fought out an exciting finish at York 13 days ago. A furlong out, Beringer looked to be travelling the better and, while his rival dug in well, a 2lb pull at the weights could see the tables turned.

Earlier, SALUTI can continue his fine form in the bet365 Handicap (Silver Bunbury Cup).

Amanda Perrett’s four-year-old was beaten less than a length by two recent winners and a horse who was narrowly beaten this season in the Victoria Cup when fourth over the course and distance just over a fortnight ago.

Also successful in two previous starts, including on the Rowley Mile course in May, Saluti looks sure to be bang there again and the fitting of cheekpieces for the first time could elicit a bit more improvement.

Preview posted 1710 BST on 12/07/18

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