Newmarket July Festival 2025: Day 2 Analysis and Betting Tips

After a pulsating first day of action from flat racing's HQ, Races Now's Harry Fowler (@Harry_Fowler8) returns to mark our card for day two of Newmarket's 2025 July Festival.

Having started his week with a 5/4 winner and 15/2 place, Harry will be aiming for more success on Friday.

We’re back for Day Two of the July Meeting at Newmarket, and we’ve got the first of the Group 1s to enjoy.

Top-class fillies and mares will battle it out over a mile in the Falmouth Stakes, which features a rematch between the first and second from the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Let's get into it!

Newmarket July Festival – Day 2 betting tips and analysis

1:50pm – bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) – 1m2f

Just eight runners here to kick off Day Two in a three-year-old-only handicap.

King’s Charter is the favourite for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, who had four entries at one stage but has chosen this handicap debutant stepping up in trip.

He had two runs as a juvenile and was somewhat disappointing, prompting connections to geld him. The operation seems to have worked: he returned this season with a nice win over a mile at Doncaster.

Now stepping up to ten furlongs, I think there’s more to come.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win - King's Charter - 11/4 (Ladbrokes/ Coral)

2:25pm – Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) – 6f

Six runners go to post, and I imagine a few may have chosen to avoid clashing with the hugely promising Venetian Sun from the Karl Burke yard.

She looks very tough to beat, but at 4/7, I'm more than happy to let her win.

I’ll be looking to the “without the favourite” market here. Shine On Me put in a very eye-catching performance last time in the Queen Mary, and I think she’ll relish the step up to six furlongs. She’s my pick to chase home the favourite.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win - Shine On Me without Venetian Sun - 9/2 (bet365)

3:00pm – bet365 Trophy (Heritage Handicap) – 1m6f

A very tricky race on paper with plenty of contenders. Several of these have clashed with the progressive French Master recently, including Dancing In Paris and Story Horse, who I think were flattered by the final distances behind him.

Endless Victory never got involved last time out. His draw and start pretty much killed his chances before the race began. He was held up out the back, and while the winner that day was thrown in, while not many came from off the pace.

I thought Endless Victory stayed on well and showed promise on his first go at this trip. Dropped 1lb for that effort, I think he can go close.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win - Endless Victory - 7/2 (various)

3:35pm – Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) – 1m

The first Group 1 of the meeting and it looks a cracking contest. I see it between the top three in the market – those outside them have a bit to prove.

January ran well in the Coronation Stakes and comes from a top yard, so she’ll be popular. She also has decent form behind Desert Flower last season, but I’m siding with one of the older horses.

Crimson Advocate beat Cinderella’s Dream at Royal Ascot, but the latter was carrying a 3lb penalty that day, which she doesn’t have here. I think Crimson Advocate is better around a bend, and the straight mile at Newmarket plus the swing in weights should see Cinderella’s Dream reverse the form.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win - Cinderella's Dream - 5/2 (Various)

4:10pm – Maiden Stakes – 7f

There’s more interest in this maiden than the one on Day One, with some serious pedigrees and big-money purchases lining up. It looks like a race for the unraced types.

This is one I’ll be watching rather than betting on. It wouldn’t surprise me if a couple of future stars emerge from this heat.

Harry’s Selection – No bet

4:45pm – Racing Club Handicap – 7f

A field of 11 for this tricky handicap. Plenty of runners look better suited to either six furlongs or a mile, and several may prefer softer ground.

I’ve landed on Dorney Lake, who has mostly raced over six but tried seven last time and ran well. He was keen early on, but still managed a strong finish to take fourth.

The hood goes on now, and if he can settle, he looks a big player off just 2lb higher than his last winning mark.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win – Dorney Lake - 12/1 (Various)

5:20pm – Newmarket Handicap – 5f

A competitive sprint handicap to close out Day Two. It’s tight at the top of the market and features a rematch between Nogo’s Dream and Grandlad, with the former coming out on top at Windsor.

I’m siding with Rocking Ends, who’s had three runs this season that have been okay without threatening to win – but he’s now dropped to a mark of 80.

Around this time last season, he won over course and distance off a 2lb higher mark. That C+D form, which is often crucial at Newmarket, makes him of serious interest.

Harry’s Selection – 1pt win – Rocking Ends - 4/1 (Various)

Harry Fowler's best bets at Newmarket on July 11, 2025

•⁠ ⁠1:50 – 1pt win King’s Charter 11/4 (Ladbrokes/Coral)
•⁠ ⁠2:25 – 1pt win Shine On Me without Venetian Sun - 9/2 (bet365)
•⁠ ⁠3:00 – 1pt win Endless Victory 7/2 (Sky Bet/PP)
•⁠ ⁠3:35 – 1pt win Cinderella’s Dream 5/2 (Various)
•⁠ ⁠4:10 – No bet
•⁠ ⁠4:45 – 1pt win Dorney Lake 12/1 (Various)
•⁠ ⁠5:20 – 1pt win Rocking Ends 4/1 (Various)