Sprinting stars set for showdown in July Cup

Rivals glance across at Twilight Son after his victory in a pulsating Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Four sprinters who have already tasted glory in the QIPCO British Champions Series feature among a final field of 18 for the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

Twilight Son, Profitable, Quiet Reflection and Sole Power have each won at least one race in the Series and will be joined by two other contenders who have won at the highest level – Air Force Blue, the champion two-year-old of last season, and Mongolian Saturday, a Breeders’ Cup winner.

Twilight Son, trained by Henry Candy, will try to add to his victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Limato drops back to six furlongs for the first time since finishing second to last year’s July Cup hero Muhaarar in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last year.

Profitable was supplemented after winning the King’s Stand Stakes. Clive Cox’s crack sprinter has been a revelation this season, having also lifted the Palace House at Newmarket and Haydock’s Temple Stakes.

Charlie Hills has two leading contenders in Diamond Jubilee fourth Magical Memory and Cotai Glory, who was only beaten a neck by Profitable in the King’s Stand.

Others from the King’s Stand are Kevin Ryan’s Goken, Charlie Appleby’s Jungle Cat and the John Gosden-trained Waady, who were third, fourth and fifth.

Appleby enjoyed QIPCO British Champions Series success with Hawkbill in the Coral-Eclipse last weekend and has high hopes for Jungle Cat.

“I was very pleased with the way he ran at Ascot under conditions that didn’t suit him and he has thrived since,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting him back on a sound surface and, while he has done well over five furlongs, he’s been doing his best work at the end of his races over that trip and I feel he will travel better back over six.

“He’s a typical Iffraaj, getting stronger with age, and looks great. I could not be happier with him.”

Quiet Reflection has gone from strength to strength this campaign, completing a hat-trick of Group-race victories, culminating in the Commonwealth Cup.

Aidan O’Brien will have two runners, Air Force Blue and Washington DC, having taken out Waterloo Bridge, who was the only withdrawal at the 48-hour final declaration stage.

Richard Fahey is doubly-represented by Don’t Touch and Eastern Impact while Mick Appleby’s Danzeno, the David O’Meara-trained Suedois and Arod from Peter Chapple-Hyam’s stable make up the list.