The July Racing Festival at England’s Newmarket course kicks of tomorrow, and so does our early preview of the major races across the world this week.

 The Gr-I Falmouth Stakes, for 3yo+ F&M over a mile course, leads things off tomorrow with French-based filly Goldikova, the ’08 Breeders Cup Mile winner among her three Gr-I wins, looking to rebound from her dismal seventh in the Gr-I Prix d'Ispahan in her seasonal debut. But she will face a tough task against Spacious (above) who won the Gr-II Windsor Forest Stakes during the Royal Ascot meet. Also in the race will be 2yo Filly Champ Rainbow View, still looking to return to last year’s form and score her first win of the year… The Older F&M division in Europe is pretty wide open, and the winner of this race will have a chance to establish an early claim to the top spots.

The French filly Nahoodh won this race in 2008, her only win that year.  She has since been retired.

The meet comes to an end with the Gr-I July Cup, for 3yo+ over 6f, featuring a world class group of sprinters. The pre-race favorite is Australia’s Scenic Blast, the impressive winner of the Gr-I Kings Stand at Ascot, looking for his fourth Gr-I of the year and solidifying his claim as Australia’s Horse of the Year… their 08-09 is finished and the awards will be handed out soon… But this by no means will be the cakewalk some are expecting, as he will have to contend with another pair of Ascot Gr-I winners, Art Connoisseur, the winner of the Golden Jubilee, and Paco Boy, the winner of the Queen Anne. Also in the mix will be Australia’s 10yo veteran Takeover Target, nearing the end of a great career but still running strong, and South African champion JJ The Jet Plane, the Golden Jubilee favorite, who faded to fourth after setting the early pace… Should be an outstanding race with plenty of ramifications. Should ‘Blast win, he’ll have four Gr-I’s in two continents. He’s likely wrapped up the Aussie Sprint title, and will have an edge over fellow Gr-I Niconero for HOY. Theseo has also won three Gr-I’s, but having lost to Niconero in the Australian Cup, we’ll give the former the edge. As for European Sprint honors, should either Art’ or Paco’ win, they would take the lead in that division as well.

French sprinter Marchand D'or won this race last year, one of his three Gr-I's, on his way to European Champion Sprinter honors.  He is currently on a prolonged break, following international flops at Hong Kong and Dubai, plus losing all three starts this season.

Tune in later for previous of this weekend’s major races in the US, featuring the Gr-I’s Hollywood Gold Cup and Man o’ War Stakes, along with Calder racecourse’s Summit of Speed, which will feature US Sprint Champions Indian Blessing and Benny the Bull, plus the Gr-I Irish Oaks and Grand Prix de Paris.