Newmarket July Cup betting preview

The Darley July Cup will cap of Newmarket’s July meeting on Saturday and judging by the entries for the Group 1 sprint, it promises to be another fascinating renewal. Dream Ahead stole all the headlines in this race twelve months ago under jockey Hayley Turner and the bookmakers believe it will be James Doyle who follows in her footsteps aboard Bated Breath, who currently heads the betting. The Roger Charlton-trained five year old was just found out by international challenger Little Bridge in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot last month but could make amends here. Click here for a choice of free bets on this race.

Society Rock, last year’s Diamond Jubilee winner was unfortunate in this year’s renewal after missing the break completely but James Fanshawe’s representative made eye-catching late headway to finish fifth. Aussie raider Ortensia has stayed in Britain since a below par run in the King’s Stand behind Bated Breath but William Buick takes the mount this time around and better is expected over six furlongs providing the ground is not too soft.

Of the others of interest, Strong Suit, now in the colours of Qatar Racing Limited holds a definite chance if she can repeat the form he displayed last year in winning the Jersey and Lennox Stakes. Godolphin are represented by Sepoy, who never travelled at Meydan in March but can be given a chance returned to turf, but he might prove vulnerable on his first run on British soil.

At a much larger price, Libranno for the Richard Hughes camp is interesting on the back of his consecutive wins at Salisbury and Newmarket respectively. The four-year-old is bidding for a three-timer and although he takes his chance in a much warmer race, Pat Cosgrave’s mount is certainly in decent heart.

Another exciting renewal of the July Cup awaits and if Bated Breath can repeat the form of his King’s Stand second to Little Bridge he must hold every chance. However, the tentative vote goes to Society Rock, who was very unlucky in the Diamond Jubilee last time but made rapid late headway to suggest his time was near again. Libranno could well fare best of the rest at much likelier odds.

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