Group One July Cup Stakes Newmarket Guide 2023

Kevin Ryan sends one runner to the Group One July Cup Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday in the form of Emaraaty Ana. The seven-year-old won a group one contest back in 2021, claiming the Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock by a short head but has struggled to replicate that form since. He has managed to place in a few good events, though, finishing third in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, second in the Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock and second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland as well.

His two runs in 2023 have been disappointing and he has never really got going in the last two renewals of this so would be a shock winner.

Charles Hills sends one to this contest in the form of Khaadem. The seven-year-old arrives here on the back of a career-best victory, claiming the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes by a neck to Sacred at Royal Ascot last month when priced at 80/1. That was his best effort since winning the Group Two King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood back in July last year and this requires a test of whether he can produce a winning performance again.

Rob Hornby will ride the 117-rated Dark Angel gelding here, who is not completely dismissed.

Tim Easterby has one in the Group One July Cup Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday with his gelding Art Power. The six-year-old's last three wins have all been at Curragh, in a couple of group three events and most recently the Group Two Greenlands Stakes. He has fared less better in England, not figuring too much in the Group Two Duke Of York Clipper Stakes in May and he finished 12th in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month (Khaadem in first).

He has ability and finished fourth in this a couple of years ago so not taken lightly. David Allan is booked to ride.

Ralph Beckett has one in this group one contest at Newmarket on Saturday with Kinross. The six-year-old comes here on the back of finishing seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, won by fellow runner Khaadem. Prior to that, he finished third in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland and even before that one, he had won four in a row in some very good contests at the likes of ParisLongchamp, Doncaster and Ascot. He perhaps needed that first 2023 run last month, anyway.

He is a major player here if returning to his best and it would be surprising if he wasn't bang in the mix for a win. William Buick is deployed.

Charlie Fellowes sends one horse to the Group One July Cup Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday with Vadream. The five-year-old has recorded two wins in her last six runs, claiming victories in the Listed Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster in April before winning 14-runner Group Three Palace House Stakes here in May. She hasn't been near her best on two outings since, finishing tenth at Chantilly and 12th at Royal Ascot before heading here for another shot at grouped glory.

This looks a tough ask for her on the back of her recent form but rain will be a positive. Kieran Shoemark is booked to ride.

Henry Candy sends one to this group one contest at Newmarket on Saturday in the form of Run To Freedom. The five-year-old won a listed event at Salisbury a couple of months ago by a head to Marbaan and that had been a best effort for a while. The horse did however manage to finish runner-up to Kinross in the Group One Champions Sprint at Ascot last October but was ninth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee stakes last month, behind the likes of Kinross and Khaadem.

This requires more again and unsure if Run To Freedom will be up to this one. Trevor Whelan is booked to ride.

Michael Dods sends one runner to the Group One July Cup Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday in the form of Azure Blue. The four-year-old has been in good form, winning five of her last starts including all of her last four, with notable successes here in the Listed Boadicea Stakes and the Listed Ellen Chaloner Stakes and she followed that with a half-length victory in the Group Two Duke Of York Clipper Stakes a couple of months ago before stepping up to this company here.

She has been kept fresh since and no reason why she couldn't challenge for a fifth win in a row. Paul Mulrennan will do the steering.

Julie Camacho sends her talented colt Shaquille to the July Cup Stakes after a run of five wins in a row, despite being an absolute pain before races in the stalls and preparations. He has managed to overcome those in recent times and has won the likes of the Listed Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury and a career-best performance in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month after a horrendous start just proves he has the ability even at this level.

The three-year-old's inability to behave is concerning but he should be there or thereabouts again. Rossa Ryan is booked to ride.

Aiden O'Brien sends one runner to the Group One July Cup Stakes in the form of Little Big Bear. The colt was one of the leading runners as a two-year-old, winning the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, the Group Three Anglesey Stakes and the Group One Phoenix Stakes with relative ease before a last of 14 finish in the 2000 Guineas here in May. Bounced back to take the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock but found Shaquille too good in the Group One Commonwealth Cup last time out.

Must rate as one of the leading players though and Ryan Moore is once again on board.