Newmarket July meeting: final day

The Group One July Cup over 6 furlongs at 16.10 CET is the main feature of the final day of Newmarket´s July Meeting and has attracted a strong international field, headed by the Australian superstars Scenic Blast /Danny Morton/ Steven Arnold) and Takeover Target (Joe Janiak/ Jay Ford). Of these the former, impressive winner over 5 furlongs at Royal Ascot but equally effective at this distance, is readily preferred, as Takeover Target at the age of 10, is possibly no longer as good as in previous seasons.

French challenger African Rose (Criquette Head/ Szephane Pasquier) is a big danger, while South African hope JJ the Jet Plane (Mike de Kock/ Kevin Shea) should not be judged on his defeat in the Golden Jubilee, where he could only finish fourth to Art Connoisseur (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer). The latter is the only 3yo in the field, and that age group have a good record in this event, but he had the run of the race at Ascot and may not be so lucky again.

Paco Boy (Richard Hannon / Jimmy Fortune) was another Royal Ascot winner, over a mile, but may find this distance ideal- however he is not certain to run if the ground continues to dry out. Main supporting feature´is the Group 2 Superlative Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 15.00, which sees a rematch between Big Audio (Hannon/ Fortune) and Emperor Claudius (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh). They were separated by a short head when first and second at Royal Ascot and the emperor can take his revenge here. The big betting race here is the Bunbury Cup, a valuable handicap over 7 furlongs at 15.35. With 20 runners, this looks wide open; our short list includes the likely favourite Captain Brilliance (Jeremy Noseda/ Murtagh), Laa Rayb (Mark Johnston/ Royston Ffrench) and, with Godolphin back in form, Mutheeb (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori). Those looking for an outsider could do worse than take Benandonner (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton) each way.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mohtashem - Crackdown - Kyllachy Star
2. Race: Emperor Claudius - Big Audio - Lord Zenith
3. Race: Captain Brilliance - Redford - Giganticus
4. Race: Scenic Blast - Paco Boy - Art Connoisseur
5. Race: Water Biscuit - Bella Swan - Outshine
6. Race: Sir Parky - Lamh Albasser - Rock Of Love
7. Race: Pictorial - Bullet Man - Jabal Tariq