Gorse, a proven mud-lover and in the best form of his life, looks a chance worth taking for carefree punters in tomorrow's £200,000 Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

The added bonus is that Henry Candy's six-year-old is generally available at 40-1 and was even quoted at 50s this morning by Coral Eurobet.

This Group 1 sprint has attracted a cracking field, but the softening of the ground at HQ puts a significantly different complexion on the likely outcome and, while the field is full of star peformers, the current unseasonal conditions lend themselves for a shock victory.

That proving the case, Gorse could be the horse to provide it. He has won Group 3 races in grand style on his last two starts in Germany and is in fact rated higher by the handicapper than the likes of Cassandra Go and Harmonic Way, two fancied horses, who are quoted at a fraction of his current odds.

The rain-sodden ground will suit both the North Yorkshire hopes, Superior Premium and Pipalong, who was beaten only two short-heads in last year's race by Agnes World and Lincoln Dancer.

Mozart, who landed a gamble in Royal Ascot's Jersey Stakes, and the dropped-in-trip Shibboleth are two others to consider in what promises to be a cracking renewal of this richly-endowed six furlongs dash.

But I am prepared to award an ambitious Nap vote to Gorse, who makes outstanding each-way appeal at his over-inflated odds.

David Loder saddled a brace of two-year-old winners yesterday on the opening meeting and is fancied to add to his juvenile scoresheet tomorrow.

Imtiyaz bids for the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes and this talented Woodman colt, a six lengths winner at Sandown on his debut, looks sure to take plenty of beating.

Loder and jockey Frankie Dettori can also lift the Chippenham Lodge Stud Maiden Fillies' Stakes with Morouj, a beautifully-bred newcomer, who will not be short of supporters as she bids to make a winning bow.

Punters face a searching test in the £50,000 Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup, but Hand Chime appeals to me. William Haggas's gelding finished a good second to Cantina at Ayr last time and comes into this race in great form. Haggas has booked star Ryedale apprentice Paul Hanagan to reduce his weight by 5lb.

Also worth noting are the promising Lanesborough (2.35) and the well-bred debutante Alexius (4.10), both mounts of Kieren Fallon.

At Doncaster's evening programme punters could find it worthwhile to wait for Smokey From Caplow in the last race.

Jim Goldie's gelding won in good style at Ayr last month and looks the type to progress much further under his shrewd Glasgow trainer. He is on a very handy mark and, despite 21 rivals, should not be opposed.

Two others worth noting on Town Moor are Double Blade (7.45) and the progressive Rapparee (8.15).

Tomorrow's tips:

Newmarket

2.05 Imtiyaz,

2.35 Lanesborough,

3.05 Gorse (Nap),

3.40 Hand Chime,

4.10 Alexius,

4.45 Morouj.

Doncaster

6.45 Treasure Chest,

7.15 Loweswater,

7.45 Double Blade,

8.15 Rapparee,

8.45 Late Summer,

9.15 Smokey From Caplaw.

Updated: 12:55 Wednesday, July 11, 2001