Megan Nicholls BetMGM Preview – Newmarket July Festival Day 1 Tips

The three-day Newmarket July Festival kicks off on Thursday with a cracking card featuring some competitive racing, including two Group 2 contests.

Our ambassador, Meg Nicholls, has previewed the card exclusively for us.

Newmarket 1.50 – Bahrain Trophy

Ancient Wisdom(10/11 fav) is a short price but that looks justified as he likes soft ground and has the strongest form on offer here.

He was a Group 1 winner as a two-year-old and stepping up in trip looks sure to help him. He is the one to beat and his price looks fair enough.

Megan’s Tip: Ancient Wisdom WIN

Newmarket 2.25 – July Stakes

There might not be many runners in this Group 2 but it looks like a pretty hot contest with some very talented two-year-olds taking each other on.

I like the look of Ain’t Nobody (4/1) who handled good-to-soft ground well on his debut – the step up to six furlongs should bring about more improvement.

He impressed me with the way he won in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, where he showed a great turn of foot. He hit the line really strongly and he might just be the value here.

Megan’s Tip: Ain’t Nobody WIN

Newmarket 3.00 – six furlong Heritage Handicap

This won’t be an easy race to pick the winner in, it looks very competitive.

I came down on Tropical Island (5/1). He ran really nicely on his return – after a long time off the track it wasn’t surprising he got a bit tired late on.

He should improve plenty for that outing and with cut in the ground no issue, he should go well here.

Megan’s Tip: Tropical Island E/W

Newmarket 3.35 – Princess Of Wales’s Stakes

There might be only six declared for the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes but it looks a really good renewal with the majority having solid claims.

It’s impossible not to love Hamish (10/11), who has been an amazing horse for his connections over the years.

The recent rain that’s hit Newmarket will have been music to the ears of his trainer William Haggas as he’s a horse that loves soft ground.

An eight-year-old he may be but his run in the Coronation Cup last time was arguably a career-best and, if he repeats that run here, he’ll be very tough to beat.

Megan’s Tip: Hamish WIN

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation