Expert horse racing betting tips for Saturday July 11th 2026

Newmarket takes centre stage this weekend with the July Cup topping the bill, alongside the Summer Mile at Ascot.

As always, our racing experts are here to mark your card ahead of all the action via our weekly Punters Panel!

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the four experts answering our key questions this week – featuring a couple of guest appearances. If you would like to get involved in our Punters Panel in a future week, be sure to DM Races Now on X!:

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Sean Tasker-Brown - Marketing man at Britain's Most Scenic Racecourse (Hexham) and huge racing fan.

Zac Castledine - Regular Punters Panel contributor who also works within the racing industry.

How good was Constitution River in winning last weekend's Eclipse?

AS - I thought beforehand it wasn't a great renewal, given no Group 1 winning older horse in the field (nowhere near, actually). I would say Constitution River impressed me more on the next day than he did live. Bounding clear, ears pricked, yet to reach his ceiling. Whether the Eclipse winner potentially going to the Juddmonte should be headline news on the trade paper is a different matter! Tell us something we don't know.

HF - The more times I watch the race the more impressive I think the win was and no doubting he is an absolute superstar. The comments from Ryan after the race were quite something but at this stage the operation knows exactly what they are doing with these sorts of comments – largely with breeding in mind. The Juddmonte next will be some occasion.

STB - He was very impressive. It’s going to be some race if him and Ombudsman make it to the Juddmonte. I’d be in the Constitution River camp, and to be honest, he looks fairly bombproof. It’s not a surprise to me that Ryan Moore thinks he could be the best he’s ridden. I think you could mark up the performance of Hawk Mountain, who was closer to the strong early pace. He looks likely to pick up another Group 1 this season.

ZC - Look; for me it really wasn’t a deep renewal. The best trained, ridden, bred horse won the race. I’m excited for Coolmore – a stallion prospect clear of any Galileo and 4x4 to Northern Dancer. I just love horses like this, and that day at Sandown was electric!⁠

Who wins the Group 1 July Cup?

AS - A proper renewal with the three Royal Ascot Group 1 sprint winners. Clearly they all have strong cases. I'm looking at bigger prices, where Comanche Brave catches the eye at 20/1+. Easy winner of an Irish Group 2 in May then ran pretty well when slightly unlucky in the Jubilee (not that he would have won). Billy the kid takes the ride and he is absolutely flying.

HF - I fancy Almeraq. I really liked his performance to win the Jubilee at Ascot. I think there is plenty more to come from him with him still being lightly raced.

STB - At the prices I’d go for Satono Reve. Just beaten on the line in the Jubilee at Ascot, which I think was the strongest of the Group 1 sprint races at the meeting. Hopefully, given a different set of circumstances, he can turn the form around with Almeraq. Venetian Sun has been impressive returned to 6 furlongs but I’m not convinced about the Commonwealth Cup form.

ZC - I really want Venetian Sun to do it. Is Mr Burke making excuses with her showing signs of being in season? I don’t know – I hope not, as she’s better than these. If it isn’t her, it’s either Almeraq or Mission Central. The Ascot form lines come to the fore for me.

Anything else appealing on Saturday's Newmarket card?

AS - I'll be backing Colombier in the Bunbury Cup (3:25), who won a messy race at Epsom on just his second UK start and had no chance at Ascot when drawn dead centre and pulled hard early. Headgear comes on here and he must have a big chance in a bang average renewal, I think.

HF - In the 2:52pm, I fancy Wechaad. First time up to the mile at Royal Ascot, this one had to wait for gaps before running a decent race into 7th. He is bred for this trip and I think can beat the winner on that day now he's 7lbs better off.

STB - For very obvious reasons, Aalto in the Bunbury Cup. Won the race two years ago off a mark of 88, just beaten a nose by Group 1 performer More Thunder off a mark of 92 last year and runs off 87 this year having returned to form last time.

ZC - Absolutely. 15/8 about Haffner in the opener is a steal. We saw it on Thursday with Peaceful Charm, it feels they have to be something special to win first time out in a deep maiden and the selection has the experience and connections to take this.

The Group 2 Summer Mile takes centre stage at Ascot. Any bets lined up there?

AS - I'm a long way from a favourite backer, but More Thunder just wins the feature doesn't he? I thought he'd be shorter than 6/4. Pretty well matched with Zeus Olympios on form this year to be fair, but the selection is slowly on the up and Zeus Olympios the opposite, based on what we've seen recently at least.

HF - In the Summer Mile, I do think More Thunder just wins. I think the addition of the bend will only put him further ahead of Zeus Olympios, who was two places behind him in the Queen Anne last time.

STB - Not in that race, no – but Mesaafi has a good each way chance in the 5f handicap. He often runs well at Ascot and ran a good race at Windsor last time despite meeting trouble in running.

ZC - Zeus is the god of lightening, but what comes before that? Thunder! As much as I love Zeus, I think it’s what we’ll see on the day. More Thunder for me.

John Smith's Cup day at York. Any fancies?

AS - York comes in as third priority on super Saturday with Ascot and Newmarket more to my liking. So back to Ascot, where the 1:55 is rife for a bet. High draw is very much preferred at this venue as we all know. Average draw of last 10 winners - 14.3. Average draw of the current top 7 in the market - 6.28. Opportunity knocks. I'm backing Schrodinger's Cat (13) and Trefor (16) each way.

HF - In the feature race at 3:45pm, I like Raammee. This horse came into this season with two runs and two victories. He disappointed first time out at Sandown when a short price, when looking too fresh and in need of it. He ran a lot better last time when second at Sandown in a race that I think will prove a good one. I think the step up in trip, watching him the last day, is something that will bring out further improvement and hopefully take the big race.

STB - Raamee in the John Smith’s Cup for me. He’s unexposed and the step up in trip looks sure to suit. Cosi Bello looks rock solid in the mile handicap given he didn’t run a bad race at Ascot and the step up to a mile at York could be ideal.

ZC - Raammee. On a Varian stable tour last year I was given this lad for the Hunt Cup. His handicap rating gave him no chance, and let’s be honest, he probably hadn’t settled well enough to feel he had a chance in a race like that. I feel 1m2f round the Knavesmire could be the making of him, though. To top it off, it’s intriguing Ray Dawson chooses to come here over his other potential assignments around the country on an amazing Saturday’s racing.

Any other bets planned for Super Saturday?

AS - I like Machadadorp in the fillies' handicap (2:15). First time handicap and the novice form is working well.

HF - In the 2:39pm at York, I think Cerulean Bay has a good opportunity to go in. He has been unlucky on a few occasions – last time at Royal Ascot was one of those when drawn on the far side. He finished second on his side, and the winner of his side went in last Saturday in a good handicap at Sandown. So, I think he can get his compensation this weekend at York.

STB - Witness Stand could be hard to catch in the listed race at Chester. He performs well at the track and the wind surgery looked to do the trick last time when just beaten a head by subsequent Queen Anne winner Ten Bob Tony at Epsom.

ZC - No fancies strong enough to tip up. Abraham Lincoln is just one of those that should win, but tipping 4/5 shots isn’t too fun. Enjoy a brilliant weekends racing!

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