Darley July Cup preview: Advertise bids to follow up Royal Ascot success
Views from connections and Man On The Spot's verdict ahead of the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.
Darley July Cup (Group 1)
4.40 Newmarket | Click here for racecard & free video form
What the trainers say
Martyn Meade admits Advertise faces the toughest race of his career to date in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.
Winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, Advertise has been ultra-consistent in his short career to date, barring a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas when Meade's horses were under the weather.
He will be taking on older horses for the first time on Saturday, and Meade is uncertain as to how the Classic crop will fare.
He said: "Three-year-olds do have a good record in this, but it is a tough ask, by far the toughest race of his career so far. He's going into unknown territory, taking on the older horses.
"Some of the older ones can be in and out of form, but when they are on-song they take a bit of beating. It's a big step we've got to take.
"On balance we've just got to throw him in and hope he puts his best foot forward. He's won on the track last year (in the July Stakes); he's come on since then, so I hope he can pull it off.
"He's joint-highest rated with Dream Of Dreams - they look evenly matched - and there's the (Aidan) O'Brien horses as well, although we held Ten Sovereigns at Ascot and beat So Perfect at the Curragh.
"It's the July Cup, they've all got a chance, so we'll just hope for the best. It's about how you perform on the day."
Sir Michael Stoute's Dream Of Dreams came within a whisker of denying Blue Point his famous Ascot double, and a re-production of that effort will surely see him go close.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said: "I wasn't expecting him to run so well at Ascot, but I think Sir Michael was - he had every confidence in the horse.
"Obviously he finished the race off very well. Sir Michael was expecting a very prominent run and thought he'd go close.
"I'm not so sure about the track. He made his debut on the Rowley Mile and was only just beaten. It was soft ground that day and led us into thinking for a while that he needed it, but he doesn't.
"This season he's worked like a different horse - he only works on his own but he's moving beautifully. He looks like a winner going up the gallops - but whether he can win this, I don't know.
"He used to be keen early, but he's not now. He's a relaxed horse, and I don't really need to say what a good job Sir Michael has done with him - his whole demeanour has changed."
Another Royal Ascot winner was Cape Byron, but he steps up markedly in class from the Wokingham Handicap to the highest level.
Trainer Roger Varian said: "He seems in good form. I thought his Wokingham win was comprehensive in a very competitive handicap carrying a large weight. It was a Group performance in some description.
"Whether it was a Group One performance, he probably needs to improve again to win a July Cup. You could argue he is still unexposed at the trip, but I think a stiff six furlongs like Newmarket should be tailor-made for him.
"If you are looking at Royal Ascot form, I thought Advertise was very impressive - and you give him a lot of respect, because he is a dual Group One winner now and he could bring the classiest form into the race.
"Sir Michael Stoute's horse (Dream Of Dreams) chased home Blue Point and put in a Group One performance without winning. Ten Sovereigns may yet bounce back.
"There are some nice horses in the race, but you could argue there is not a sprinter stamping his authority on the division at the moment. It is a open year, so you could say it is a nice year to have a runner in the race."
Michael Bell's Pretty Pollyanna was a winner at this meeting last year in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, and went on to beat the boys in the Prix Morny.
She started this season with a meritorious second in the Irish 1000 Guineas, but disappointed in the Coronation Stakes and now drops two furlongs in trip.
"Probably her most impressive performance came at the July meeting in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, which proves she is very effective on the track," said Bell.
"I think she is in very good form and I'm expecting a very good run."
Ten Sovereigns was unbeaten in three runs at two. But having failed to see out the trip in the 2000 Guineas, he ran in the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot and was put in his place by Advertise.
"We were very happy with his run at Ascot. It was his first run back after running over a mile," said O'Brien.
"He was a little bit rusty coming back sprinting. He travelled, though, and kept going very well. We thought he would come forward for the run."
O'Brien also runs the fillies Fairyland and So Perfect.
Man On The Spot
DREAM OF DREAMS was a little unlucky not to retain his unbeaten record this term when just failing to reel in Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. One of the most improved sprinters around, compensation may well be forthcoming especially if conditions remain quick. Dual Group 1 winner, Advertise, provided his yard with a timely boost when landing the Commonwealth Cup and the return to sprinting has surely brought out the best in him. Dettori is booked and he should appear on all shortlists. Brando has placed in this contest for the past two years, returned to winning ways latest and is one of the toughest and most likeable sprinters around. Limato won this back in 2016 and retains form and enthusiasm whilst Cape Byron is an intriguing candidate as he steps up from handicap class after landing the Wokingham with a degree of ease. Pretty Pollyanna and Ten Sovereigns were exciting high-class juveniles and add further lustre to a cracking July Cup.
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