Newmarket July Darley Cup betting and odds

Darley Cup betting preview

The actions returns to the home of racing this weekend with the Darley July Cup feature race bringing down the curtain on Newmarket’s three-day July meeting, writes Mikey Mumford. This Group One event is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older and is run over a distance of 6f. The race is renowned for its international involvement with a number of high-quality overseas contenders expected to line up in the gates. A field of seventeen runners have been declared with Godolphin’s runner Delegator the clear market leader. Last year’s winning trainer Aidan O’Brien has just one representative this time with Oracle representing the team from Ballydoyle.

The nature of Amico Fritz’s (20/1) defeat in the Golden Jubilee is difficult to weigh up as he led the stand side group well over a furlong out but had no chance with the far side leaders. He was drawn in stall 13 that day and goes from 11 here so it will be interesting to see where jockey Maxime Guyon takes him. This German challenger was well held by a number of the rivals he faces here and tough ask to reverse the form.

Prior to his Golden Jubilee fifth Bated Breath (13/2) had run with credit when picking up events at Haydock and Windsor. But he fell away pretty sharply last time at Ascot and has work to do on revised terms to better Monsieur Chevalier, Star Witness and Elzaam. However the ground may have been a little on the soft for him and he must have an each-way squeak at the least.

Markab probably needed the run at York last week and connections will hope he will come on for that reappearance. He ended 2010 with victory in the Betfred Sprint Cup at this course and the slight drop in trip should not inconvenience him too much. Henry Candy’s yard is in relatively good form and everything looks set for a nice run at generous odds (15/2).

Beaten well into twelfth in the Jubilee Dalghar (14/1) was unable to make an impression for Andrew Balding and Jimmy Fortune at Ascot. Yet to get his head in front in five starts in Britain, the soft ground might not have been in his favour last time. Nevertheless, he has yet to convince the drop to 6f suits after being challenged at a mile early in his career; best watched.

Delegator (7/2) won well in a competitive York sprint in May with a lot of these left trailing in behind. He’s likely to get the good surface he seems to thrive on and has won over a mile here at Newmarket before. Equally adept at 6f, Goldolphin’s runner sets the clear standard on recent evidence but only had one run so far in 2011 and that is a slight worry.

Another runner for Roger Charlton, Genki (16/1) is a tough sort who won a shade cosily at Newcastle latest after being held up on settling down. He had odds on favourite for that race Regal Parade two lengths behind and should put in another bold bid. Whether that will be good enough in better company remains to be seen; seems in good heart at present though.

His impressive Curragh win in May over 6f could not be repeated in the Jubilee where Hitchens (25/1) finished eleventh of sixteen runners. That came as no surprise though with all his wins coming on firmer ground and any rain here would not help his cause. Has a lot to find on his recent York and Doncaster runs with some of these rivals; unlikely to trouble.

Two poor runs have overshadowed Jimmy Styles’ (33/1) likeable Doncaster win at the beginning of April. The seven-year-old gelding had some useful types in behind that day but has lost his form since tailing off the last twice. On a positive note, he might well get the good ground he has done half of his winning on but not one of those contenders to have much confidence in.

Richard Hannon’s representative Monsieur Chevalier (12/1) has improved run by run this year and his latest second in the Jubilee behind Society Rock was by far his best run in 2011. A similar performance would put him right in the mix and he has shown he has the beating of some of those in opposition. Kieren Fallon has been booked to ride him once more and couldn’t rule out further improvement.

Disappointed the last twice despite being sent off clear favourite Regal Parade (20/1) has been a little expensive to follow in recent weeks. The Dandy Nicholls trained seven-year-old has won over slightly further but is a little more exposed than some of these. Always gives his running and couldn’t disregard despite latest flops.

Having his third and final run in Britain this year before heading back Australia, Star Witness (9/2) has run well in defeat in both the King’s Stands and the Jubilee. Likely to come up against some familiar faces here he should give another good account back on good ground. Would be fitting for him to win this before heading home and has a better chance than some of these.

The oldest horse in the race at eight; War Artist (16/1) never got on terms in the King’s Stands and the pick of his form came in 2008 with a second in the Golden Jubilee. Never looked like reproducing that form since and although lightly raced for his age he needs to make huge strides and looks unlikely to do so.

A great feature to end Newmarket’s fantastic July meeting can go the way of Star Witness on his final run in Britain after his unlucky seconds at Ascot. However, He comes up against Monsieur Chevalier who had his measure last time and he should go well once more. But this race could go to an improver and ELZAAM can go well for the in-form Roger Varian whilst Libranno is a good each-way prospect. [Mikey Mumford]

By Mikey Mumford

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