This year’s £400,000 July Cup (Eng-G1) looks set to be another outstanding
renewal with the world’s leading sprinters featuring among an entry of 76 for
the six-furlong contest, seven more than in 2009. The highlight of the three-day
Newmarket July Festival on July 9, the July Cup is one of the three British legs
of the Global Sprint Challenge alongside the King’s Stand S. (Eng-G1) and the
Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot.
Among the entries for the race are horses trained in Australia, the United
States, France, Hong Kong and Germany as well as Britain and Ireland.
Having plundered the English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) on Saturday with
Makfi (Dubawi), French trainer Mikel Delzangles is eyeing another major
Newmarket prize with MARCHAND D’ORO (Marchand de Sable), who posted a
scintillating victory in the 2008 July Cup for former handler Freddie Head. The
seven-year-old followed up his success on the July Course with an unprecedented
third success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Fr-G1) at Deauville and a storming
win in the Prix de l’Abbaye (Fr-G1) at Longchamp but switched to Delzangles’
Chantilly stable in March after a lackluster 2009 campaign.
“Marchand d’Or is fine at the moment and we are planning to give him a
comeback run in the (May 16) Prix Saint-Georges (Fr-G3) at Longchamp,”
Delzangles revealed. “If he comes out of that race in good order, then the
Darley July Cup would be on his agenda. We have the option of the two races at
Royal Ascot and he could go there beforehand or alternatively there is the (June
6) Prix du Gros-Chene (Fr-G2) at Chantilly for him.
“I couldn’t honestly say that he can return to his best. I think he was a bit
sick last season but he seems fine now and we will have a better idea whether
his talent remains after his return at Longchamp.”
Australian sprinters have dominated the first two British legs of the Global
Sprint Challenge at Royal Ascot but have yet to emerge victorious in the Darley
July Cup. A quartet of antipodean entries features the David Hayes-trained pair
of NICCONI (Bianconi), who landed the Lightning S. (Aus-G1) at Flemington in
January, and Group 2 scorer EAGLE FALLS (Hussonet). GOLD TRAIL (Hussonet), from
the yard of Gary Portelli, and the Paul Messara-trained ALVERTA (Flying Spur)
also boast Group 1-winning form.
Two of the most exciting Southern Hemisphere performers of recent years may
also line up for new connections. Dual Group 1 winner STARSPANGLEDBANNER
(Choisir) was purchased by Michael Tabor in January and is set to race for Aidan
O’Brien this summer, while DENMAN (Lonhro), successful in the Rose S. (Aus-G1)
in August, has been transferred from Peter Snowden to Godolphin trainer Saeed
bin Suroor by Sheikh Mohammed.
A pair of Hong Kong-conditioned entries consists of the Derek Cruz-trained
JOY AND FUN (Cullen), successful in the Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G3) at Meydan in
March, and HAPPY ZERO (Danzero), who triumphed in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup
(HK-G1) at Sha Tin in March for handler John Moore.
Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) victor KINSALE KING (Yankee Gentleman), one of
three entries hailing from the United States, has been entered by Carl
O’Callaghan alongside stablemate LEAVING NEW YORK (Tribal Rule). Todd Pletcher
enjoyed his first success in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday and the trainer
may be represented by the progressive WEST OCEAN (Elusive Quality), who has
posted impressive wins in his two most recent starts, both stakes.
The “Budapest Bullet” OVERDOSE (Starborough), unbeaten in 13 starts, is set
to make his British debut at Royal Ascot ahead of a possible tilt at Newmarket,
while French handler Alain de Royer-Dupre may be represented by Prix de la Foret
(Fr-G1) scorer VARENAR (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) and WAR ARTIST (Orpen), who
took third in the 2008 July Cup when in the care of James Eustace.
The home challenge is set to be headed by FLEETING SPIRIT (Ire) (Invincible
Spirit), who survived a stewards’ inquiry to triumph over MAIN AIM (Oasis Dream
[GB]) in last year’s race. The Jeremy Noseda-trained filly went on to finish
second behind REGAL PARADE (Pivotal) in the Haydock Sprint Cup (Eng-G1) and
filled the same spot in the Prix de l’Abbaye.
Other notable entries include the Aidan O’Brien-trained RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire)
(Galileo [Ire]) and PACO BOY (Desert Style), from the stable of Richard Hannon,
who have posted Group 1 victories over a mile, and last year’s English Two
Thousand Guineas runner-up DELEGATOR (GB) (Dansili [GB]).
The classic generation is also set to be well represented and the 29
three-year-olds entered included CANFORD CLIFFS (Tagula), third in the English
Two Thousand Guineas on Saturday, as well as AWZAAN (Alhaarth) and SHOWCASING
(Oasis Dream [GB]), who took first and third, respectively, in last season’s
Middle Park S. (Eng-G1). Aidan O’Brien has given an entry to the highly regarded
pair of STEINBECK (Footstepsinthesand [GB]) and LILLIE LANGTRY (Ire) (Danehill
Dancer), successful in the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 on the Rowley Mile
in October.