Architect Tips provides his a runner-by-runner guide and two selections at 5/1 and 20/1 for the July Cup at Newmarket.
July Cup 2025
16 contenders remain in contention for Saturday’s showpiece at Newmarket, the July Cup, headlined by Notable Speech, who was an unexpected supplement and has been installed as favourite. Here is a guide to the entire field.
July Cup 2025 Runners Guide
Iberian
Produced smart form at two, including when a two-length winner of the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, beating good horses such as Sunway and Rosallion.
Hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since, but did run well to finish fifth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last month, and might have finished closer without being impeded.
Still, that does leave him short of the requirement needed to win this event and I’m struggling to see where the improvement will come from. I can see him running well though.
Inisherin
Was sent off as a warm favourite for this twelve months ago following wins in the Sandy Lane Stakes and Commonwealth Cup but could only finish fifth. Hard to know which horse will turn up given the inconsistency he’s developed of late as well.
Being a Group 1 winner will stand him well, but he was disappointing last time out and his skinny odds are far from attractive on the back of that. That said, this isn’t a vintage renewal, so if he bounced back, he would have a chance but that’s an “if”.
Jasour
A bit of Jekyll and Hyde. Either performs brilliantly or the opposite. Hard to predict but wasn’t distanced when sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last month and won the July Stakes at this fixture two years ago.
He also ran well in this race last year for a long way until early excursions were evident late on. However, his overall record at the highest level isn’t appealing (0-8) and he’s difficult to recommend in spite of being a course winner.
Night Raider
Has plenty of speed to burn and is unbeaten in four starts on the artificial but a tardy start in the King Charles III Stakes last time out saw him finish well beaten.
Expect him to show up well in the early stages if he breaks well but others are far more reliable and it’s hard to see him breaking his duck on the turf at this level.
Notable Speech
Has only ever raced at one mile and did well under the circumstances to finish fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes last time out. Last year’s 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes wins read well and he wouldn’t be the first horse to drop back to a sprint tip and win this race.
He does look like a horse with plenty of speed though and his turn of foot. If this high-class dual Group 1 winner does adapt to it, then he could blow the field apart, as he’s clear of the opposition on official ratings. However, he does rate a risky proposition given the unknown that awaits him.
Rogue Lightning
Won on debut. at this course three years ago and has some decent form in the book, particularly at Group level, including an unlucky fifth in the 2023 Prix de L’Abbaye.
He’s been to America and France since last seen in Britain, placing on two of his four starts. He was well held in the King George Stakes last summer though and looks up against it.
Run To Freedom
Runner-up in this race two years ago and has been a great servant for connections. He isn’t getting any younger though and bids to become the first seven-year-old to win the race since 1938.
That tells you the mammoth task he has ahead of him. There’s a chance he could outrun his odds but he’s vulnerable to less-exposed opponents and is expected to find a few too good.
Twilight Calls
Is another with plenty of good form in pattern-class events but he’s become synonymous with failing to score at the level as his record reads 0-14.
This course winner may well exceed his odds tag, but being seven, a win is highly unlikely in this race. Best to look elsewhere.
Believing
Smart mare claimed a deserved Group 1 win in Dubai earlier this year. She was a little disappointing when down the field in the King Charles III Stakes last month having been sent off as the favourite.
That could be put down to the unflavoured draw (stall 1) though and her best form would give her place claims at least given she’s placed in multiple Group 1s in France, Ireland and the UK.
She’s soon to become a full-time broodmare, so expectations of her probably aren’t too high, but she ought to give a better showing of herself than she did last time out. Billy Loughnane also has a decent record on her, too.
Flora Of Bermuda
Likeable and consistent filly. Andrew Balding’s filly ran a huge race to finish third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last time out considering she denied a clear run along with being knocked off her stride by one of the horses she passed.
She has really taken her form to another level in the last twelve months and there’s no reason why she cannot make another serious impact with more to come. She should get an ideal setup and is one of the main contenders for top honours.
No Half Measures
Winner of a handicap on this card last year and won a Group 3 event on her next start prior to a fifth-place finish in the Abbaye.
Richard Hughes’ charge left her comeback run behind when runner-up at Haydock last time out, only being beaten half-a-length by Balmoral Lady, who she was conceding 5lb.
This is much tougher, so although she’s won three of her four starts over six furlongs, I doubt she’s good enough.
Big Mojo
Could be a bit of a dark horse at double-figure odds. Among last season’s best sprinting juveniles, this speedster won the Group 3 Molcomb Stakes before going close in the Flying Childers when second and then finishing a solid fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf behind Magnum Force.
He returned with a win in the Commonwealth Cup Trial and was only beaten a length and a half in the Sandy Lane Stakes before suffering major interference when seventh in the Commonwealth Cup. Yet to compete on the July course, but if he acts on it, Michael Appleby’s participant has the ability to have a say in the matter.
Ides Of March
Appears to be second-string to stablemate Whistlejacket and was no match for him or Symbol Of Honour so far this season.
Produced an even lesser effort in the Commonwealth Cup last time out and his form is generally below the level needed to be considered as a potential winner.
His habitual slow starts are also a concern, so he has too much to prove at present.
Spy Chief
Has made giant progress in a short space of time and turned in a fine effort in defeat when runner-up in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes. The return to this shorter distance should be of no concern, given he has plenty of pace and could get his own way out in front.
The only minor couple of issues is that the problem is that he’s rated far inferior to the market leader, and he’s light on experience. That being said, John and Thady Gosden’s runner is unexposed compared to most and could be set for another prominent role.
Symbol Of Honour
Hugely improved performer this season and has been on a roll of late, winning at Meydan at the start of the year and scoring in a Listed race at Newbury before following up in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
He’s genuine and wears his heart on his sleeve, but his form has taken some knocks, and I don’t think he’s up to this level. His stable has a much stronger candidate in the shape of Notable Speech.
Whistlejacket
Exclusively raced over sprint trips and has wins in Listed, Group 2 and Group 1 races. Aidan’s leading hope won the July Stakes twelve months ago, so the track experience is ticked, and he’s the choice of Ryan Moore.
There’s a good chance this course will again work in his favour and conditions will suit and he was unlucky not to finish closer than when sixth in the Commonwealth Cup having been denied a clear run multiple times like Big Mojo.
He should be seen to better effect on this occasion and he has solid place claims at least.
July Cup 2025 Tips
FLORA OF BERMUDA (best price 5/1) is proving extremely consistent and ran really well at Royal Ascot last time out. She should get a nice lead into proceedings and has the form in the book to pose a serious threat, so she is my main hope.
The fact that connections are willing to roll the dice with SPY CHIEF (best price 20/1) is interesting. He ran well when second in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, and while this is tougher, the drop in trip looks like a good move. With more to offer, I can see him running well at big odds.
