Newmarket July Cup 2013 Preview

The July Cup is a championship race for the top sprinters and it has attracted an international field of 12 for this year’s renewal. The only significant withdrawal at the final declaration stage was Reckless Abandon who is suffering from a swollen gland.

Royal Ascot Form

Trainer Clive Cox will still be represented in the big race by Diamond Jubilee winner Lethal Force. The grey produced a career-best effort to hold off the late challenge of Society Rock who reopposes him on Saturday.

Lethal Force had previously finished second to Society Rock in the Duke of York Stakes and it should again be close between the pair. The other top sprint at Royal Ascot, the five-furlong King’s Stand Stakes, went to the Irish-trained Sole Power who cut down South Africa’s Shea Shea in the run to the line.

The runner-up had previously been an impressive winner in Dubai and is fancied to turn the tables on Sole Power over the extra furlong on Saturday.

The Irish Challenge

Sole Power is joined in the line up by his stable companion Slade Power who is guaranteed to be at his best over this distance. He ran well at Ascot after missing the break and has gone on to win a good prize in Ireland since.

The Irish challenge is further strengthened by the inclusion of Jersey Stakes winner Gale Force Ten. Aidan O’Brien’s colt has been performing at a mile and will be sharpened up by the application of blinkers for the first time here. He is to be ridden by Ryan Moore and is currently available at 6-1 with Bet365.

The Outsiders

Kevin Ryan’s Hamza is taking a big step up in class after winning a Conditions race at Beverley. The gelding had previously won well in handicap company and has earned his chance in a Group One.

Australian raider Shamexpress disappointed when finishing only ninth at Ascot. Connections believe that he is in better form now that he has been in the UK for a few weeks and he worked encouragingly in midweek. Mickael Barzelona has been booked for the ride.

Sovereign Debt could be interesting if he can successfully drop back from a mile. He was second in the Lockinge Stakes earlier in the season but disappointed in the Queen Anne Stakes. Krypton Factor, Havelock and Zanetto all have a bit to find on their best form.