Darley July Cup 2013

3.50 Newmarket

Darley July Cup (British Champions Series And Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £283,550

Advice:1 pt win Shea Shea (5/1 Bet Victor, Stan James), 1 pt win Sole Power (9/1 Bet365, 8/1 general)

Hamza: Been vastly improved for the drop back in trip to sprinting (won valauable C&D handicap here last year and consistent since) and impressive the last twice, dominant from the front in 6f handicap over Rowley Mile and then conditions contest over 5f at Beverley; Should give another good shout but this a serious step up in grade.

Havelock: Limitations exposed well before his midfield finish in the Diamond Jubilee after defeat in Churchill Grade 3 and doubt he will do any better here.

Krypton Factor: Classy sprinter as defeat of Rocket Man in UAE last year suggests and several good performances lately; Improved on his sixth in Golden Jubilee last year when third this time around but fail to see him reversing that form with first two here and only respectable chance on that form.

Lethal Force: Quickly made up into a Group horse last season over 7 furlongs, notably when an all the way winner of Hungerford Stakes; Taken form to new level when over 6f this season, second to Society Rock in Duke of York and then a comprehensive winner of Diamond Jubilee, albeit with an easy lead; Won’t get things so smooth here but must be taken seriously if in the same form.

Shamexpress: Always been held in high regard but very much a late bloomer (third in the Coolmore Stud Stakes last year at 50/1); Neat win at 6/4 in Premium Handicap over 5 furlongs but never able to land a blow over same trip in the Lighting Stakes, so bit of a surprise when landing the Lexus Stakes, although nobody can deny how impressive he was coming from near last to first that day; That form not quite upto the same standard as some recent winners and unable to create a proper impression in Kings’s Stand and hard to see him taking a big hand here.

Shea Shea: Crack sprinter in South Africa who won Grade 1 at Turrfontein in effortless style and after disappointing start to life in UAE, set and then smashed his own course record in the Al Quoz Sprin, beating quality field of sprinters in style including Sole Power; That form reversed in King’s stand but never saw his rival and ran a splendid race when well in command on far side; Should go close here.

Slade Power: Didn’t have the best of starts when seventh in the Diamond Jubilee but that not a valid excuse and don’t see him reversing form with principals despite Group 3 win dropped to 5 furlongs at the Curragh latest.

Society Rock: A proper top flight sprinter at his best as his Haydock Sprint Cup win and stylish success on return under penalty shows; Never looked like confirming form with Lethal Force in Diamond Jubilee, once again not helping himself with start; Has a chance at his best but record around here not the best and possibly work to do to reverse earlier form especially with starting problems.

Sole Power: No Group 1 wins in nine attempts since his 100/1 shock Nunthorpe win but finally got another big one at Royal Ascot in King’s Stand, thanks mainly to some fine riding from Johnny Murtagh whose decision to switch and come standside proved extremely beneficial; Still can’t deny the way he caught Sole Power there and while trip a concern for some, will be tough to beat if showing his best form.

Sovereign Debt: Rapidly progressive last year (got blocked on several occasions in last year’s Jersey Stakes) and found his level at Group 3’s, although ran above himself (possibly aided by fast pace) when second in Lockinge Stakes; Not sure this drop in trip what he wants.

Gale Force Ten: Coinstetent juvenile (second in Norfolk last year) who was good over sprint trips and backed up/built on that form this season with fourth and second in French/Irish Guineas before Jersey Stakes win; All of that form working out fairly nicely and worth respecting here but looked or all the world as if he wanted return to a mile and while trainer had success following this route before, more needed.

Zanetto: Really not given the best of chances by his draw in Diamond Jubilee but doubt he’d have been good enough anyway; Does have a good record here and progressive still, but others preffered.

VERDICT: A strong renewal which brings multiple Group 1 winners, amongst them the 1-2 from the Kings’ Stand and Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. Lethal Force and Society Rock will take some beating if on top form, but the feeling is that SOLE POWER and SHEA SHEA achieved more when 1st and 2^nd in the Kings’s Stand and they get the vote to repeat that form at 6 furlongs. Gale Force Ten is interesting but may need further.