The July Festival at Newmarket Saturday (Saturday 11th July 2026)

Jul 10, 2026 - 18:45

It is the final day of Newmarket’s July Festival and I’m really looking forward to the July Cup which takes centre stage on Saturday. A smaller field than what we’re used to but still packed full of quality.

Just the 11 horses head to post but there is a real mix of competitiveness with Commonwealth Cup hero Venetian Sun taking her chance and an International challenge from Japan in the shape of Satono Reve.

Almeraq beat that rival last month and Aidan O’Brien sends over Mission Central so a fiercely competitive renewal despite the lack of numbers.

We also have the Bunbury Cup which is always a decent punting race with plenty of each way value on offer. The Superlative Stakes also usually unearths a smart one and Abraham Lincoln will be looking to fit that bill and remain unbeaten.

Something for everyone and hopefully we can end the three-day meeting with some more winners!

Top July Festival at Newmarket Saturday offer

The July Festival at Newmarket Saturday 2026 day 3 (Saturday) quick tips

1.40 Haffner – 5/4 with bet365
2.15 Song N Dance – 9/2 each way with BoyleSports
2.52 Moonfall – 5/2 with Betfred NAP
3.25 Back In Black – 5/1 each way with BoyleSports
4.00 Abraham Lincoln – 10/11 with Paddy Power
4.35 Venetian Sun – 7/2 with Spreadex NEXT BEST
5.10 Righthere Rightnow – 7/2 with BetVictor
5.45 Cape Fear – 2/1 with Betfred

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for The July Festival at Newmarket Saturday (Saturday 11th July 2026)

Find my top tips for Saturday 11th July 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Newmarket 1.40 Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 3) 7f

I know Al Wathba looks the part on paper being a half-brother to Empirical but I prefer to side with form and HAFFNER showed plenty to finish second on debut. This colt by Justify went down a length and a bit to Abraham Lincoln at the Curragh and with natural progression should be hard to beat here.

Obviously Al Wathba is a danger and the betting should prove informative. It is not just a two-horse race though as Subscription is by Night Of Thunder and is a full brother to Hengest so could perform well first time out.

Sioux River is also well related and shouldn’t be completely discounted either.

Bet on HAFFNER to win at 5/4 with bet365

Newmarket 2.15 HKJC Worldpool Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) 7f

A really competitive handicap now and there are any of four or five in with a chance here. I have just about sided with SONG N DANCE who continues to hold her form well.

She looked good winning at Leicester and then following up at Newcastle last season and has returned with two promising efforts since. She has been freshened up and could have more to offer so is expected to go close with Tom Marquand a good jockey booking.

William Knight and William Buick won this 12 months ago with Royal Velvet and they team up with Time Test filly True Test. She did best of those racing away form the favoured near side at Royal Ascot so could go well here.

Machadadorp just about landed the gamble at Wetherby and the second has followed up since so she can get involved too.

Bet on SONG N DANCE each way at 9/2 with BoyleSports

Newmarket 2.52 Weatherbys Handicap (Class 2) 1m

I backed MOONFALL in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and the way he went through the race before asserting was hugely impressive.

He was a massive eye-catcher at Chester on reappearance and the way George Boughey spoke about him made me think they hold him in high regard. He is 7lb higher but deservedly so and could have lots more improvement to come yet so I’m keen to keep him on side.

Eklleem really impressed bolting up at Ripon and if improving again now handicapping could emerge as the danger. The betting is certainly suggesting that!

Wechaad has stamina to prove but is definitely another one capable of getting competitive.

Bet on MOONFALL to win at 5/2 with Betfred

Newmarket 3.25 Betway Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 7f

The Bunbury Cup is always a great betting race and I’m keen on one this year in BACK IN BLACK.

He has been running well all season and now dropping back to 7f with a fierce gallop on I can see that really suiting him. He could still have further improvement to come so off the same mark that saw him find just Treble Tee too good at Newcastle he is worth chancing.

Aalto obviously won this two years ago and was an excellent second last month so has decent claims again under Buick.

Great Acclaim was denied just half a length in the Buckingham Palace Stakes which was another huge run in defeat so I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t hit the frame at the very least.

Bet on BACK IN BLACK each way at 5/1 with BoyleSports

Newmarket 4.00 Boodles Superlative Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) 7f

Aidan O’Brien won this back in 2023 with City Of Troy and he looks to have another exciting colt on his hands in ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

This 2yo by Wootton Bassett fairly bolted up on debut at the Curragh last month and I get the impression the second Haffner is quite a nice horse too so expect the form to work out. He has more to come now tackling an extra furlong and is fancied to make it a perfect 2-2 against these.

Al Hudaiba bounced back from that blip at Yarmouth to win last month but was expected to and this is much tougher. He has potential though so shouldn’t be overlooked.

Pikachu ran well on debut and then was quickly pitched into Listed level last time and ran well so should get competitive here.

Bet on ABRAHAM LINCOLN to win at 10/11 with Paddy Power

Newmarket 4.35 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) 6f

Time for the big one now and if VENETIAN SUN takes her chance she is definitely the one to beat. The worry is if the ground gets too quick!

Obviously the weather has been baking recently and while they are watering heavily if Karl Burke isn’t happy then she will be taken out. If he walks the track and is happy and she runs I do think she will get the job done.

She is seriously talented and showed that winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month. She has speed to burn and I don’t see this track causing any issues.

Satono Reve ran huge to go down just a nose in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last month and another run like that would see him involved.

Mission Central continues to progress and has earned his chance at a prize like this so is another one I can see running well for a long way.

Bet on VENETIAN SUN to win at 7/2 with Spreadex

Newmarket 5.10 Debenhams Handicap (Class 3) 7f

Back from Dubai that was a massive run from RIGHTHERE RIGHTNOW to finish third beaten less than a length at Windsor. The runner-up Indian Run has already won since at Thirsk to frank the form and off an unchanged mark he should have a great chance to get his head in front now.

Still quite a few dangers and Leadman showed a good attitude to prevail at Doncaster and is back in form so could run well.

Secret History ran a bit flat at Carlisle but had won her two previous starts so is another one that might surprise a few and get involved here.

Bet on RIGHTHERE RIGHTNOW to win at 7/2 with BetVictor

Newmarket 5.45 HKJC World Pool Handicap (Class 4) 1m4f

Time for the lucky last now and CAPE FEAR should have a good chance to follow up that Lingfield win.

He bumped into the progressive Hoseki and then stepped forward to win in good style last time. He has more to come now he knows how to win and looks to have found a good opportunity here on handicap debut.

Melek Alreeh impressed winning at Wolverhampton but lacks a run and that could catch him out here.

First Officer was a good second at Yarmouth and if building on that is another one to note but he is up against younger, improving horses so it won’t be easy.

Bet on CAPE FEAR to win at 2/1 with Betfred

My top tip for The July Festival at Newmarket Saturday Day 3 on Saturday

It would be great to end the week at Newmarket with a winning double.

MOONFALL looks a really progressive horse off the back of that Britannia win and he should have a great chance to follow up.

I have doubled him up with VENETIAN SUN in the big one I just hope the ground is safe and he takes his chance!

Bet a win double on MOONFALL and VENETIAN SUN at 16/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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