Newmarket (July)

By Lope De Vega—a stallion who consistently produces fast, winning racehorses—out of a Pivotal mare, which is proper speed breeding on both sides. Drifted significantly in the market to 9.0, suggesting the yard or the yard see something in the others. Draw 3 gives a slight positional advantage on the rail.

The standout is trainer: John & Thady Gosden's partnership record of 172 wins from 871 races is by far the strongest in the field, though Robert Havlin is out of form (0 from 1 in the last 14 days). By Mehmas out of a Lope De Vega mare—proper speed bloodlines—and the high trainer profile keeps her at 4.4, though the draw 8 is least favourable at this course.

Second favourite at 3.1, suggesting the betting public rates her chances, though her jockey-trainer combo has won just once from ten races together—least experienced partnership in the field. By Sioux Nation out of a Pivotal mare, the speed pedigree stacks up nicely for the 7 furlongs, and draw 5 is workable ground.

By Justify (the American Triple Crown winner) out of a Kodiac mare, giving her some pedigree credentials, and James Fanshawe's yard has 44 winners already this season. However, she's drifted to 19.0 and carries a hood, which sometimes suggests nervousness or schooling needed—draw 2 is better than most but not ideal.