Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips From Newmarket On Thursday: Godolphin To Make It A ‘Blue’ Day

See Andy Newton’s ITV Racing tips for Thursday, July 9, featuring his 1-2-3 selections for every race shown live on the free-to-air channel.

The opening day of the 2026 Newmarket July Festival features four races on ITV Racing, headlined by the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes and July Stakes.

Andy Newton’s ITV Racing Tips at Newmarket: Thursday, July 9, 2026

• 13:50 Newmarket (July): DEL MARO
• 14:25 Newmarket (July): INNER CITY BLUES
• 15:00 Newmarket (July): TEN CARAT HARRY / CALICO BLUE
• 15:35 Newmarket (July): REBEL’S ROMANCE

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Newmarket Horse Racing Tips for Thursday, July 9, 2026: Godolphin to Make the Bookies Feel ‘Blue’

13:50 Newmarket (July) – Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo) 1m5f – ITV

The Queen’s Vase form comes under the spotlight again here, with runner-up Del Maro, fourth-placed Point Of Law and sixth Galiyan all lining up for another crack.

There’s every reason to believe that form will be confirmed, with DEL MARO fancied to go one better this time.

The Godolphin colt was beaten only a nose by Limestone at Royal Ascot and already holds Point Of Law by a length and a half and Galiyan by three lengths. Those rivals will need to find improvement to reverse the placings.

Charlie Appleby has also enjoyed an excellent recent record in the Bahrain Trophy, winning three of the last five runnings, while William Buick has partnered two of the last three winners.

Richard Hannon’s top-rated Alderman looks an interesting each-way alternative. He skipped Royal Ascot and arrives a fresher horse than most.

Still, provided that hard race at Ascot hasn’t left its mark, Del Maro gets the vote.

🥇 DEL MARO
🥈 ALDERMAN
🥉 GALIYAN

14:25 Newmarket (July) – Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) 6f – ITV

Only four runners go to post in what is a disappointingly small field.

Adaay Of Scarlett brings the strongest piece of form after finishing second in the Coventry Stakes, although that race has taken a slight knock with sixth-placed Confucius beaten since.

Hickory Lad has yet to finish outside the first two, winning twice already, and looked particularly impressive when scoring at Epsom. He could easily outrun his odds.

However, the most exciting prospect is Godolphin’s INNER CITY BLUES, who could hand Charlie Appleby a first July Stakes success.

The Blue Point colt made a striking impression when bolting up on debut at York, and that form has worked out well with both Stardom Glory and Conciliate winning since.

He also holds entries in both the Gimcrack Stakes and National Stakes later this season.

Appleby’s juveniles boast an impressive 38% strike-rate at Newmarket, making Inner City Blues the one to beat.

🥇 INNER CITY BLUES
🥈 ADAAY OF SCARLETT
🥉 HICKORY LAD

15:00 Newmarket (July) – Betway Heritage Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) 6f – ITV

Recent York winner Thunder Call is likely to head the market after beating Red Spells Danger by half a length, so there shouldn’t be much between them again.

History, though, isn’t on the favourite’s side, with just one market leader winning this race in the last 20 runnings.

The draw also catches the eye. Nine of the last 11 winners emerged from stall eight or higher, making Thunder Call’s berth in seven a slight concern.

Course-and-distance winner Sea Cookie deserves plenty of respect too. He’s unbeaten in two starts since being gelded and undergoing wind surgery, while Jack Callan’s 3lb claim helps offset a 5lb rise.

The pair that appeal most, however, are TEN CARAT HARRY and CALICO BLUE, who finished third and fourth respectively in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Both are well drawn in stalls eight and nine and finished their races strongly over five furlongs, suggesting this step back up to six furlongs should suit perfectly.

They race from the same handicap marks as at Ascot and, with easy winner Bacio absent, both have an excellent chance.

🥇 TEN CARAT HARRY
🥈 CALICO BLUE
🥉 SEA COOKIE

15:35 Newmarket (July) – Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) 1m4f – ITV

I’ve always liked Convergent, but he hasn’t been the easiest horse to predict and needs to bounce back after a disappointing run in the Derby at Epsom.

The much quicker ground is another question he still has to answer.

Almeric and Tenability both have claims, but each looks to need a bit more improvement to trouble the standout in the field, the globetrotting £12 million earner REBEL’S ROMANCE.

The Godolphin eight-year-old will be making the 32nd start of his remarkable career, having already won 21 races. He showed the fire still burns when landing the Dubai City of Gold at Meydan in February.

He’s been freshened up with this race in mind and returns to a contest Godolphin has won five times in the last 12 years.

Although he has to concede 3lb to his rivals, his official rating of 122 still leaves him 4lb clear of Convergent, making him the most solid option in the race.

The last eight-year-old to win the Princess of Wales’s Stakes was Cavalryman-another Godolphin star-and I’m happy to keep the love affair going with Rebel’s Romance.

🥇 REBEL’S ROMANCE
🥈 CONVERGENT
🥉 TENABILITY