July Cup runners and riders: Your Pinstickers’ guide to the big race at Newmarket live on ITV this Saturday
IT all Ads up for Frankie Dettori in the July Cup. The Italian can torment the bookies again by steering ADVERTISE to more Group 1 glory. He scorched back to form over this ideal distance when winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time. Three-year-olds have a cracking record in this race and he […]
IT all Ads up for Frankie Dettori in the July Cup.
The Italian can torment the bookies again by steering ADVERTISE to more Group 1 glory.
He scorched back to form over this ideal distance when winning the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time. Three-year-olds have a cracking record in this race and he can keep that up.
Dream Of Dreams has come on a bundle this season and ran the mighty Blue Point close in the Diamond Jubilee last time. A repeat of that would give him a massive chance.
Former winner Limato ran his best race for a long time when winning a Group 3 here last time and can run into the places ahead of Cape Byron who deserves to step out of handicap company after two big wins.
BRANDO 3/5
ACT on Brando. Loves this race having been placed in the past two runnings and scored with plenty in hand at Hamilton last time out. We know the trip and track suit and, while he would prefer the ground a bit easier, he does go on firm. His record gives him an obvious place chance again.
CAPE BYRON 3/5
CAPE a good hope. In scorching form this season, winning the Victoria Cup and Wokingham at Ascot in great style on his past two starts. This is a big step up in class from that and the first time he’s gone above handicaps in this country. But he looks well up to the challenge and is a major player over an ideal distance.
DREAM OF DREAMS 4/5
WAKE up to Dream. Has improved massively in just three runs this season, winning a Listed race at Windsor before pushing Blue Point all the way in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. We know the distance and fast ground suit from that effort. He wouldn’t have to improve much more to take this for in-form Sir Michael Stoute.
GLORIOUS JOURNEY 2/5
JOURNEY’S end. Carries the famous Sheikh Mohammed silks but doesn’t look up to this Group 1 level judged on his defeat by Limato at Newmarket last time. That was a decent effort but he improved as the 7f race went on and this drop in distance seems unlikely to suit.
LIM’S CRUISER 1/5
CRUISER’S sunk. Has some fair form in Singapore but was well off the pace in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He may have needed that run after travelling across the world and this 6f distance is his best but he needs to improve massively to trouble these rivals.
LIMATO 4/5
OUT on a Lim. Won this race back in 2016 and finished second 12 months later. He hasn’t matched that form for a while, with convincing defeats in his past four Group 1 outings. There were positive signs when he won with a bit in hand over 7f here last time and this trip and track obviously suit well. Asking a lot for a seven-year-old to win this but he could hit the frame.
MAJOR JUMBO 2/5
NO-GO Jumbo. Honest type who always runs his race but he’s not managed to match his smart handicap form since being upped in grade this season. Couldn’t land a blow in a Chantilly Group 2 last time and, while this trip suits better, he should come up short.
ADVERTISE 5/5
PAYS to Advertise. Didn’t stay a mile in the Guineas but took a leap forward when winning the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup dropped back to this distance, which is clearly his best. He had plenty in hand at the Royal meeting and looks hard to beat.
TEN SOVEREIGNS 3/5
SOV the pace. Was well backed when beaten by Advertise at Royal Ascot when the 6f trip seemed much too sharp. Shapes as though 7f may be ideal and needs major improvement to turn the form around with Frankie’s mount.
FAIRYLAND 3/5
FAIRY nuff. Landed the Group 1 Cheveley Park here last season over this trip and didn’t enjoy dropping to 5f when a still good fifth at Royal Ascot last time. This distance could be ideal and she has enough talent to hit the frame.
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PRETTY POLLYANNA 3/5
PRETTY solid. Won a Group 1 over this trip last season and has done well to place in the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas this season so has lots of talent. Drop back in trip could be a help and no forlorn place hope.
SO PERFECT 2/5
PERFECT ain’t right. Didn’t enjoy 7f in the Jersey Stakes last time and much better over this trip. Hit the frame at Group 1 level last season but needs a personal best today.