2023 July Cup Newmarket Tips & Runners Guide

July Cup 2023 Runners Guide

1.Art Power 

• Trainer: Tim Easterby
• Jockey: David Allan
• Odds: 33/1
• Form: 366810 

 

The six-year-old proved he still retains a fair chunk of his ability when claiming the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh but although he has run well at the highest-level on several occasions, his record in this company now stands at 6443454880. 

I fancied him to run well in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last-time-out but that wasn’t the case and while he was a solid fourth to Starman from a tricky draw in this race a couple of years ago and would have place claims on his best form, I think his chance to win a Group 1 has now passed. 

It is hard to see him breaking his duck at this level at this stage of his career and can be overlooked from a win point of view in which a better case can be made for other intended runners. That said, I wouldn’t rule out him potentially hitting the frame again in this race. 

2.Emaraaty Ana

• Trainer: Kevin Ryan 
• Jockey: Neil Callan
• Odds: 33/1
• Form: 632290

 

A very smart sprinter when at his best, who won the 2021 Sprint Cup at Haydock and has placed in various other Group 1 events in his time, including twice in the Nunthorpe and when a half-a-length second in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November.

He then made a substandard reappearance at York though when down the field which led to wind surgery and whilst he fared a touch better in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last time out, that was still a below-par effort given his previous form. 

If the ground remains fast, that will suit, and his connections do have a good record in this race given their Brando placed in it a few times in his career but based on his two showings this year, he has enough to prove at present and better value appears elsewhere in the race. 

3.Khaadem 

• Trainer: Charlie Hills
• Jockey: Rob Hornby
• Odds: 12/1
• Form: 906031

 

Defied his advancing years by leaving previous efforts this past year behind him when causing an 80/1 shock in the the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and even though that is a strong piece of form, the question now is will he be able to repeat that here. 

After all, he lacks consistency and can be his own worst enemy at times by racing keenly and also having problems at the stalls, such as when he unshipped Jamie Spencer at the start last time. He is evidently in good form and perhaps Charlie Hills has found the key to showing his best. 

Would you want to be putting your faith in him to repeat the dose of last time though? I am not so sure. The seven-year-old will need luck-in running here plus this race might not develop in the way it did at Ascot and I have a suspicion the race fell into his lap that day, too. 

4.Kinross

• Trainer: Ralph Beckett 
• Jockey: William Buick
• Odds: 11/2
• Form: 111137

 

Often seen to best effect when the ground has “soft” in the description and will need plenty of rain in the coming days. He is without a doubt a high-class sprinter and recorded a hat-trick of Group One wins last season, including when he won the QIPCO British Champions Sprint by over two lengths. 

Not only did he gain those high-profile wins but he was a good second in the Breeders' Cup Mile on his final start last year and a respectable race when seventh of 16 behind Khaadem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last time, where he travelled well before getting tired late on given his lack of fitness. 

He was initially going to be ridden by Frankie Dettori but with him going through a ban at the moment, connections have appointed William Buick to ride. He has winning form on the Rowley Mile and if the heavens do open up, he’s sure to run a big race. That latest return will have blown away the cobwebs as well. 

5.Run To Freedom

• Trainer: Henry Candy 
• Jockey: Trevor Whelan
• Odds: 33/1
• Form: 942419

 

This five-year-old found only Kinross too good in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint last year and even beat Khaadem at Salisbury in May before finishing behind that rival at Royal Ascot when last seen, where another slow start didn’t help his chances and if he does that here, it’s unlikely he will be able to make an impact. 

He is an habitual slow-starter, which is never ideal in a sprint race, but he does have winning course form and he’s probably got another career-best performance within his inventory to unleash at some point. He will have conditions to suit but the likelihood is that he will need a few of these to underperform to go close. 

6.Azure Blue

• Trainer: Michael Dods 
• Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
• Odds: 10/3
• Form: 141111

 

This filly is a must for anybody’s shortlist, who is at the top of her game and comes here fresh after wins at Newmarket and York. It was a career-best effort she produced when defeating Highfield Princess in the Duke Of York last-time-out and that form has been advertised since. 

For instance, the runner-up placed in both the King’s Stand and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, while the Commanche Falls recently won in Ireland. It’s unlikely she has finished progressing as well plus she’s a course-and-distance winner, so will have no concerns on that front either. 

She is improving at a rate of knots and connections deliberately skipped Royal Ascot in order to save her for this contest. If the rain arrives, then she will need to prove her versatility on a softer surface but other than that, there’s a lot to like about her chances and is towards the top of the market for good reason. 

7.Vadream

• Trainer: Charlie Fellowes 
• Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
• Odds: 33/1
• Form: 616100 

 

Has endured a busy but productive season, competing over various distances, and has bagged Listed/Group events this year but she has been found out at this level five times in her career and was so again last time when down the field in the King’s Stand Stakes. 

To be seen at her best, she needs much more juice in the ground and is vulnerable not only on faster ground but also in this grade. She deserves plenty of respect and did provide us with a memorable ITV Double back in April but it is hard to see her winning this race, so I’m happy to leave her alone.  

8.Little Big Bear 

• Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 
• Jockey: Ryan Moore 
• Odds: 5/1
• Form: 111012 

 

A highly doubtful runner, so he cannot be considered from a betting point of view. If he did line-up, he would be popular but he seemed to be beaten fair and square by Shaquille when second in the Commonwealth Cup. 

He is also reported to have had a minor setback recently, which is a worry. He’s a high-class horse and was a good winner of the Sandy Lane at this course two starts ago but if he does feature, he will do well to reverse Ascot form with Shaquille. 

9.Shaquille

• Trainer: Julie Camacho 
• Jockey: Rossa Ryan
• Odds: 2/1
• Form: 911111

Fast becoming one of, if not the best sprinter in the UK this season. He’s only tasted defeat once, who has graduated from handicaps to the top level, winning his last five starts and was last seen dominating the Commonwealth Cup despite fluffing the start. A remarkable performance to say the least given the circumstances. 

He lost so much ground at the start but worked his way through the field and won with plenty to spare. A winner of six of his seven starts, it’s unlikely we have seen the best of him yet and that is scary to believe. He is the one to beat and is a good price for a favourite. This course should play to his strengths, too. 

 

July Cup 2023 Tips 

With the ground still unknown ahead of start-time on Saturday with forecast rain between now and then, it’s hard to gauge on what the ground will be. However, it might be worth just keeping this simple by backing SHAQUILLE (best price 2/1) who is unbeaten in four starts over six furlongs and returned a seriously impressive winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. 

It wasn’t the strongest of renewals but the fact he was able to overcome a terrible start and still win with plenty to spare indicates we are dealing with a very high-class sprinter who’s best days are ahead of him. I have tried to find angles to take him on but I just get the feeling he will have too many gears for the likes of Azure Blue and is therefore fancied to land a second consecutive Group 1 contest.