ONE of South Africa’s biggest races, the Durban July, takes place at Greyville today and it is likely to be shown live on At The Races.

The 11-furlong turf Group 1 race for three-year-olds and upwards is also a handicap. Past winners include Mike de Kock’s Ipi Tombe and Bold Silvano, who went on to compete at the top level internationally.

Three horses in the 19-runner field are vying for favouritism: Solid Speed, Bela Bela and French Navy. Solid Speed is the only five-year-old in the field and he is trained by Dean Kannemeyer, who won the race last year with Power King.

Solid Speed is a son of former July winner Dynasty, who is also the sire of the filly Bela-Bela. She has caught the eye in her recent prep runs and will be ridden today by Anthony Delpech, who has won the race four times previously.

Top-weight French Navy finished sixth in this race last year as a three-year-old. Otherwise a model of consistency French Navy is one of three in the line-up trained by Sean Tarry, who saddled the winner in 2012 and 2013.

CURRENT BETTING

11/2 Solid Speed, 6 Bela-Bela, French Navy, 8 Black Arthur, 12 It’s My Turn, St Tropez, 14 Marinaresco, 16 Abashiri, 20 Mambo Mime, The Conglomerate, 25 bar.