Horse racing tipster Owen McMahon shares his best bet from all seven meetings across the UK & Ireland on Thursday 13 July 2023. 

Usually for this ‘NAP of the day’ segment I’d be steering well clear of these ultra-competitive meetings, but on Thursday I just cannot see past Aidan O’Brien’s TOWER OF LONDON in the G3 Bahrain Trophy Stakes – the very first race of the three-day July Festival at Newmarket.

The son of Galileo is one of six three-year-olds who go to post for this 1m5f contest and, in my book at least, one of four with a realistic winning chance.

The other three I wouldn’t completely write off are Saint George and Castle Way, who bring solid form to the table for in-form connections, plus Klondike, who looks overpriced at present.

However, Ryan Moore’s mount has plenty going for him and I reckon he could be a cut above his rivals.

His profile reminds me a little bit of Paddington before his Irish 2,000 Guineas victory in that he’s just come off the back of winning a competitive handicap off a lofty mark of 99 and looks more than ready for this step back up to Group class.

To win that Premier Handicap at Down Royal the way he did, under an extremely inexperienced claimer, suggests we’re looking at a very talented stayer who’s improving at a rate of knots.

Put it this way, I wouldn’t want to oppose him – especially with the maestro Aidan O’Brien operating at a 32% strike rate and Moore at an outstanding 41%.