The highlight of what has been a cracking week of racing is the July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday. Some of the speediest sprinters on the planet will go hoof to hoof over 6f and this contest is usually thrilling to watch. The absence of Harry Angel is an obvious disappointment as he would have been a major contender, but Godolphin still hold a strong hand with Blue Point and he has been installed as favourite at odds of 3/1.
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| Limato could regain his crown at Newmarket. |
Blue Point scored decisively over 5f in the Group 1 King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, staying on well to score by almost 2L from Battaash with Mabs Cross back in 3rd. He is equally effective over 6F but with US Navy Flag in the field William Buick will need to ensure he doesn’t get racing too early. US Navy Flag drops back to 6F for the first time since winning at the trip last September, but the suspicion remains that he is at his best with juice in the ground.
Two of the last three renewals of the July Cup have been won by 3yos, with the 6lb weight for age allowance undoubtedly making a big difference. US Navy Flag gets the allowance, as does Commonwealth Cup winner Eqtidaar. That was a huge step up on the form he had shown previously and this colt needs to prove that wasn’t just a flash in the pan. He looks short enough at 7/1, as does the runner up at Royal Ascot, Sands Of Mali at 9/1.
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| Sir Dancealot is a sprinter on the up. |
Dreamfield was the subject of a massive plunge returning from a long absence in the Wokingham and he travelled like a serious horse for a long way, only succumbing by a neck off 103. He is likely to come on leaps and bounds with that run under his belt and while he needs to take a big leap forward to figure here he looks a fascinating contender.
Only one 6yo has won this race in the post war era, but Limato is no forlorn hope to add to the tally for the age group. Henry Candy’s son of Tagula found just Harry Angel too good in this last year and he won it in 2016. He drops back in trip after two runs at a mile this season and at odds of 10/1 he looks a very backable price for each way players. I think he has a massive chance on ground he will love.
Redkirk Warrior has a lofty rating of 121 but he was bitterly disappointing at Ascot and he needs to bounce back in a big way to have any hope here. Brando should run his usual solid race and he was 3rd in this last year. He is well matched with Limato and it would be no surprise were he to produce a big performance given that this race should be run to suit his hold up style.
However, my idea of proper each way value in this race lies with Sir Dancealot, a horse that has won two of his last three and who has produced some cracking efforts in defeat this term. He has virtually nothing to find with Brando on their meetings at Newmarket and York and I think a strongly run race over 6f will really suit him.
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| Brando should get the race run to suit. |
He was a course winner last time out over 7F just two weeks ago and he is a horse that seems to take his racing extremely well. At odds of 28/1 he looks well worth chancing each way. Of the remainder, Fleet Review has the form in the book to outrun his odds and Invincible Army will likely run his usual solid race without winning.
I think that this year’s July Cup is going to be run at a furious gallop from the outset and that could bring stamina into play. I think the older horses may have the edge and Limato could be the one to be on. He has finished second and first in the last two renewals and though 6yos have an awful record in the race, he could still possess the necessary turn of foot to score. His career form figures on good to firm ground over 6f read 112132 and at 10/1 he is the pick.
There is very little to split him, Brando and Sir Dancealot on all known form and I reckon that those two can fill the places. I think the younger legs of Sir Dancealot can earn him the runner up spot with Brando chasing him home in 3rd. At odds of 28/1 and 14/1 respectively, I wouldn’t put you off backing either horse each way.
PREDICTION: 1. LIMATO 10/1 2. SIR DANCEALOT 28/1. 3. BRANDO 14/1.
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