Attracting some of the world’s finest sprinters, the 2022 Darley July Cup is Saturday’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it finale to Newmarket’s July Festival where one stable will be hoping to build on their Royal Ascot sprinting success.
Currently heading the market at 3.50 with most bookmakers, including William Hill, is the three-year-old Perfect Power, fresh from victory at last month’s Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting where the colt ran on well to beat Flaming Rib – a 10.00 chance for this reunion – by 1 ¼ lengths.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: July 8th, 9:00 A.M. (BST)
Teaming up again with regular jockey Christophe Soumillon, Perfect Power will be aiming to give trainer Richard Fahey his first victory in this race since Mayson a decade ago. Good to firm ground, as it was at Ascot, will also provide cause for optimism.
As with the Commonwealth Cup, the July Cup is run over a six furlong straight, but Newmarket’s course is more undulating than Ascot’s. The uphill final furlong did not deter the strong-finishing Perfect Power on his previous course and distance run with a win in September last year, but stepping up to a mile in April was less fruitful as he finished seventh in the 2000 Guineas.
Breathing down the favourite’s neck in the market and many punters’ tip is Australia’s big hope for the race in Artorius. On his British debut the four-year-old came a close third in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and could well have taken the crown had he not been hampered with a furlong remaining.
With veteran jockey Jamie Spencer on board again, he could well go two places better with William Hill offering odds of 5.00 to win. He is without a victory since February last year but has finished in the top three in eight of his twelve starts.
Getting the better of Artorius in the Platinum was Naval Crown who, by running in the near-side group, managed to avoid the congestion that impeded the Australian. A somewhat surprise winner at 34.00 after some inconsistent form racing in the Middle East earlier this year, William Hill is offering 7.50 this time around.
Odds have been shortening slightly to 7.00 on Creative Force, the runner-up behind Naval Crown a month ago. William Buick is in the saddle as they return to a course they have won twice as a unit before.
Of the longer prices, Romantic Proposal, shortening to 11.00 and Japan’s King Hermes at 34.00 are two interesting each-way shouts.
