3:00 Newmarket Tips

I Maximus is dropping in class and will likely improve with the headgear as he tends to run keenly. The wind shows that it will probably be difficult to make up a lot of ground from the back today. So if he takes the lead, Ryan Moore can get the job done.

Much improved performance LTO when 4th of 10 at Chester last month, and mark remains unchanged, which provides an opportunity to build on that effort.

Shaped nicely LTO here over 5f, staying on nicely at the finish in 4th. Now back to 6f and 1lb below last winning mark here last summer.

Stayed on really well in the closing stages when a beaten favourite at Lingfield and probably went into many trackers as he didn't get a clear run. Runs off the same mark of 71 and can be in the mix again at a generous price of 5/1.

I’m backing Priapos, the progressive 3-year-old Zoustar gelding trained by Ralph Beckett, in tomorrow’s Jockey Club Partner Handicap (6f, Class 4). He arrives in good heart after a solid reappearance effort??'finishing a respectable 3rd of 16 in a competitive Ascot handicap on May 9 under Rossa Ryan, beaten just 1½ lengths and showing a sharp turn of foot. He then busied up in the Royal Ascot Betting With World Pool Handicap at Goodwood on June 13, finishing 8th of 10, but that run on fast turf will likely have sharpened him up for this easier contest. Priapos is entered here with Rossa Ryan again in the plate??'no stranger to big-field tactics??'and his promising Ascot run proves he handles track and trip. Rated around 79, he looks well treated and has shown he stays close to the pace in strong company.

The 5yo had 2 wins from 7 last year and some near misses - not beaten far in a couple of higher grade races. His two runs this year should have him right for this handicap - not having a clear run last time out. On a handy looking mark and William Buick takes over in the saddle.

With a strike rate of 25%, Roger Varian's horses are in excellent form at the moment. He is represented here by Miraculous, who is a son of Too Darn Hot. Today, he is taking a drop in grade together with a step up to six furlongs, which, after looking to be rallying towards the end of his last race over the minimum trip at Windsor, looks like a wise decision. With Silvestre De Sousa onboard again here and with plenty of improvement likely, he looks a solid bet to me.

Dashing Dick has an excellent record at the July Course and looks interesting back there in this Class 4 handicap. He has 4 career wins, with the last 2 coming here in August '23 and July '24. The last was off a mark of 73, and having looked like returning to form when second at Yarmouth off 76 last month, a 1lb rise might not stop him. He looks a good EW bet at these odds.

Despite this containing some potential 3yo improvers, FISCAL POLICY looks a big price for a sort that is very used to winning and still looks to be fairly well handicapped on the current turf mark. Stable have been great to follow of late too and I wouldn't be surprised if this one outruns this price. There's a chance some of the younger ones improve but this one should still give its running.