July 15 / 16.35 Newmarket (July)

16.35

Good To Firm

Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

  • Prize money: £356422.35
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Pertemps Network July Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11-111 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Unraced on heavy, acts on any other ground; very well treated off 94 in handicap on the 2,000 Guineas card, then followed up in Newbury Listed event (made all) later in May; overcame a poor start to land the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot most recently, taking record over 6f to 5-5; that latest performance needs marking up, given the circumstances; ideally needs to break on terms, as he may not get away with another sloppy stalls-exit at this level, but otherwise holds strong claims; fast-improving 3yo colt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

11

(5)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Haydock

Shaquille

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Julie Camacho

It's a concern he's reared at the start and been slowly away the last twice, but he recovered each time to post impressive Group 1 wins in the Commonwealth Cup (6f, good to firm) and the July Cup (6f, good to soft); has won seven of his eight starts and on form he stands out as the one to beat.

10/11

1st

9

(9)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Shaquille

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Julie Camacho

reared start and slowly away, pulled hard, raced in last, rapid headway and went second 4f out, led under 3f out, ridden and hung left final furlong, kept on well

3/1

1st

8

(4)

23rd Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Shaquille

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Julie Camacho

reared start and slowly away

9/1

33/1

  • Place: £5.00

Form: 42-419 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Listed scorer at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) in May; outran his 150-1 odds behind Kinross in Ascot Group 1 last October but failed to repeat that effort, returned to the top level, at Royal Ascot three weeks ago; opposed on balance of form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

10

(3)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Run To Freedom

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Henry Candy

Capable of smart form, such as placed efforts in two July Cups, but is getting long in the tooth and seems unlikely to break his Abernant duck at the fourth attempt (record in this race reads 404); losing spell goes back almost three years.

25/1

11

(9)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Run To Freedom

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Henry Candy

Has run well at long odds in several Group 1s, including when second in this race in 2022 (150-1) and when third to No Half Measures in this year's July Cup (40-1), but he was never a threat in the Sprint Cup six weeks ago and his overall record is none too consistent.

50/1

9

(11)

6th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Haydock

Run To Freedom

9st 5lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Runner-up in the July Cup at Newmarket (6f, good to soft) in 2023 and, having been lightly raced since, he was a 2l third of 14 to No Half Measures in that same Group 1 two months ago (good to firm); each-way claims if reproducing that form but his profile indicates it's far from guaranteed.

66/1

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1113-7 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Record of 6-10 on softer than good, compared to just 1-11 on good/faster; that said, went close in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Mile on a firm surface; completed a notable hat-trick last autumn, including Group 1 wins over 7f at Longchamp and 6f at Ascot; a leading contender, provided he's at concert pitch with Royal Ascot reappearance (seventh to Khaadem) under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(10)

29th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Kinross

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

8yo who is a two-time Group 1 winner and has an excellent record in this race, with form figures of 1213; reappeared with head second to Ten Bob Tony in Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock (7f, good) two months ago when carrying a 5lb penalty; no penalty today and he has leading claims.

3/1

1

(9)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Kinross

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good) last September and runner-up in Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) next time; carries 5lb penalty and may improve for this reappearance outing but he's a class act who is entitled to respect; won this in 2021 and close third in 2022.

11/2

2nd

1

(9)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 1

15:33 Haydock

Kinross

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good) last September and runner-up in Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) next time; carries 5lb penalty and may improve for this reappearance outing but he's a class act who is entitled to respect; won this in 2021 and close third in 2022.

11/2

20/1

Form: 66-810 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Horse

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Very smart sprinter on his day and ran well (fourth of 19) in this race two years ago; however, has gained all four Group wins in Ireland, the most recent at the Curragh (6f, good) in May; well below par in home-soil races won by Azure Blue and Khaadem otherwise this term; opposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(7)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

13:50 Doncaster

Art Power

10st 1lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Usually races up with pace; fine sprinter over the years but the majority of his big wins have come at the Curragh, where he's won five Group races; well beaten over this C&D when last seen in November and, although he'd be dangerous on a going day, others seem more likely to give their running.

20/1

1

(10)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Ascot

Art Power

9st 4lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Sprang a 40-1 surprise in this race in 2023 and showed he's still capable of smart form when winning the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh (6f, soft) three weeks ago; however, he's some way down the pecking order on this year's form and others appeal more.

22/1

1st

1

(6)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 6f 0y

15:12 Curragh

Art Power

9st 7lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

A regular visitor to these parts and has won here four times, including this race in 2021 and 2022; ran a blinder in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes over C&D on his seasonal reappearance last month; below best in Flying Five two weeks ago; could rebound stepped back up in trip.

6/1

14/1

Form: -06031 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Fourth in this race in 2020; belatedly broke his Group 1 duck with an 80-1 win at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) three weeks ago, albeit with the cards dropping perfectly under Jamie Spencer who executes waiting rides on the Ascot straight track so brilliantly; possibilities if he backs up the form but this race isn't guaranteed to pan out so favourably.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

6

(14)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Khaadem

9st 5lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charles Hills

10yo who is very hard to fancy on what he's produced on his last three starts, down the field in the Temple Stakes at Haydock four weeks ago; however, he showed considerable spark as recently as last October, with a Grade 2 win in the US, and he won this race in 2023 (at 80-1) and 2024 (14-1); didn't run in it last year; certainly not written off today.

66/1

10th

1

(13)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Khaadem

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Won the 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot in 2023 and 2024 and added 5.5f Grade 2 win at Keeneland last October; however, this 10yo wasn't at his best at Meydan in March on his sole run this year, and the drop back to 5f and the forecast slow ground are likely negatives.

33/1

10th

4

(10)

1st Aug 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Khaadem

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charles Hills

Best on good or quicker; his trainer has done so well to keep him to such a high level over the years and he's 2-2 here (including this race in 2022) as well as winning two Group 1s at Royal Ascot, the latest only last June; however, yesterday's rain won't have been welcomed.

20/1

Form: 411-11 CD

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Acts on good to firm and good to soft ground (unraced on soft/heavy); highly progressive 6f filly who led close home in the Duke Of York Stakes two months ago on first Group attempt, completing a four-timer in the process; has a record of 4-5 on the Newmarket tracks and commands major respect back here, with her improvement looking set to continue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(11)

20th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 110y

Class 1

15:40 Ayr

Azure Blue

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Classy winner of Group 2 (6f, good) in May 2023 but her season ended that July; offered hope that she was on the way back when dead-heating for 5f Listed race here in June but following a fair run in a Group 1 she was tailed off back in Listed company this month (said to have been unsuited by losing a shoe early); questions hang but major claims if that can be overlooked.

13/2

8th

6

(1)

8th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:00 York

Azure Blue

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Michael Dods

taken down early, ducked left start, soon in touch with leaders on far side of group

7/1

9th

10

(6)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Azure Blue

9st 10lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

Looked set to be a major sprinting force when beating a top sprinter in a 6f Group 2 on this track (good) in May 2023 but she's had only a handful of starts since and her dead-heat for first in a 5f Listed race at Ayr (good to firm) last time wasn't really worthy of the sprinter she promised to become; still time for her to do better but she's up against the specialist 5f sprinters, which gives her more to prove; yard won this in 2015 and 2016.

25/1

Form: 616100 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Very useful mare but is ground dependent, having gained all turf wins on soft/heavy, the most recent in 5f Group 3 on the other course here in May; pair of duck eggs on good going since and her chance looks poor unless she gets ideal conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(12)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Vadream

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Fellowes

Has won and gone close in Group 3s (5f) on this track; seems to have lost some firepower this year but she wasn't far away in a 6f Listed race here in May nor was she disgraced in the Group 1 Flying Five in Ireland recently; might have a better chance than these terms suggest, at least for a place.

16/1

11th

13

(6)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Vadream

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

On a long losing run, and now to 93 from the 107 mark she held when failing to make an impact in this event last season; in rear in the Temple Stakes won by Mgheera; down the field in the Wokingham and the Coral Golden Handicap.

66/1

19

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Goodwood

Vadream

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

Losing run stretches back over two years; happiest on slow ground; tailed off in the Wokingham six weeks ago and returning cheekpieces aren't enough to make her of interest.

28/1

Form: 11-012 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Crowned the European champion 2yo last term; it's still not totally clear that he has fully trained on, having taken advantage of a near-side track bias at Haydock (won Group 2) in May then failed to justify favouritism (beaten just over 1l by Shaquille) in the Commonwealth Cup, but those bare performances still represent smart form; brilliant in Curragh Group 1 last August and that power-packed display is not yet forgotten.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Little Big Bear

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Crowned the European champion 2yo last term; it's still not totally clear that he has fully trained on, having taken advantage of a near-side track bias at Haydock (won Group 2) in May then failed to justify favouritism (beaten just over 1l by Shaquille) in the Commonwealth Cup, but those bare performances still represent smart form; brilliant in Curragh Group 1 last August and that power-packed display is not yet forgotten.

4/1

2nd

2

(2)

23rd Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Little Big Bear

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Had a few excuses for his 2,000 Guineas flop; star performer over sprint distances otherwise and subsequently justified favouritism in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to firm; beat Shouldvebeenaring) where he gained an advantage by racing near the stands' rail but won well enough to think he retains plenty of his juvenile talent; crowned last year's European champion 2yo having been so impressive in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on good ground, and that brilliant success represents the best form in this field; won the Windsor Castle here 12 months ago; has to be greatly feared.

Evs

1st

4

(7)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Little Big Bear

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: A P O’Brien

Carried all before him as a 2yo, signing off with convincing 7l success in Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good; made virtually all); returned sore and wasn't seen again until the 2,000 Guineas when he pulled hard and folded tamely, finishing lame; today's drop back down in distance seems an obvious move, and he's the one to beat if back to his best, but there must be a question mark after such a poor run just three weeks ago.

11/8

2 (8)

40/1

Form: 322-90 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Has plenty of form at the top level but losing spell goes back to his Sprint Cup success in 2021; beaten twice in this contest (11th in 2021, sixth in 2022) and looks unlikely to make it third time lucky; down the field in races won by Azure Blue and Khaadem this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Emaraaty Ana

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £55.10
Straight Forecast £73.75
Tricast £260.78
Trifecta £390.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Azure Blue

RP RATINGS:

Kinross

D Express:

Shaquille

POSTDATA:

Khaadem

The Star:

Shaquille

THE NORTH:

Azure Blue

The Times:

Azure Blue

The Guardian:

Azure Blue

Daily Mail:

Azure Blue

Daily Mirror:

Azure Blue

The Sun:

Azure Blue

Daily Record:

Azure Blue

TOPSPEED:

Kinross

Telegraph:

Kinross

LAMBOURN:

Khaadem