There’s a stunning renewal of the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon as the elite 6f sprinters do battle at Flat HQ. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers previews the event here and picks out his best bet for what should be a hugely competitive contest.
INISHERIN
(Tom Eaves/Kevin Ryan)
One of the stars of the season, Inisherin kicked off his campaign with a creditable sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. However, it was the drop back to six furlongs that saw him really sparkle and he was a stunning three-and-three-quarter length winner of the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock Park. Sent off a warm order for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next time out, Kevin Ryan’s speedster was yet again the dominant performer as he claimed Group 1 success for the first time. Now taking on the older horses for the first time, Inisherin will be attempting to show he’s one of the premier sprinters in training and he’s the one to beat.
VANDEEK
(James Doyle/Simon & Ed Crisford)
Four wins from four as a juvenile, which included a fine Group 1 win in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last September, Vandeek was one of the most exciting three-year-olds to emerge this season. However, he failed to fire on his first run of the season when he finished a disappointing third behind Inisherin in the Sandy Lane Stakes. Simon & Ed Crisford’s charge is sure to improve for that outing, but he will need to improve immeasurably to reverse that Haydock form around and he’s on a comeback mission here.
RIVER TIBER
(Ryan Moore/Aidan O’Brien)
A narrow winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, River Tiber has failed to taste victory since that Group 2 win and the Aidan O’Brien-trained raider is looking to recapture his best form here. Last seen finishing eighth in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last month over seven furlongs he will drop back to six for this contest, which is sure to be a bonus. That Coventry success came over the same trip, but he will need to improve on what he’s shown on the track so far in what is a competitive renewal here.
THE FIELD
The three-year-olds dominate the betting, but there are some proven classy older horses taking their chance and the first one to keep an eye on is Kinross, who is bidding for more Group success at the age of seven. Third in the race last year, Kinross was last seen finishing second in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle and is aiming to improve on that here. Khadeem caused a shock for the second year on the bounce in the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he’s often failed to back up wins with another fine effort.
Second to Australian speedster Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, Ed Bethell’s Regional will look to go one better here and will step up to six furlongs here, while the likes of Mill Stream, Swingalong and Jasour add significant depth to the race.
VERDICT
It’s a race that will see the three-year-olds come to the fore and there’s no doubting that the star of the Classic generation is INISHERIN, who sparkled in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and Kevin Ryan’s star can claim another Group 1 with a win here. The likely favourite can get the better of Vandeek, who can improve on his first run last time out, while Regional may complete the 1-2-3.
2024 July Cup Predicted 1-2-3
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