Timeform Daily: Friday, Newmarket, 3.10

Tipping / Timeform / 09 July 2010 / Leave a Comment

The July Cup takes centre stage at Newmarket today

"Society Rock did best of those from off the pace when coming through for second that day, taking his form to a new level, and he looks the value"

A field of fourteen go to post for the highlight of the July festival- the July Cup...

Balthazaar's Gift has never been the most prolific winner, but was as good as ever when bagging the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes over 7f at Newbury last August. However, he struggled for pace at this trip when seventh in the Golden Jubilee at Ascot on return.

Equiano has won of 3 of his 4 races this term, including second victory in King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on latest. Has won at 6f in but is ideally suited by 5f and the final climb at Newmarket could find him out.

Kingsgate Native won both the Nunthorpe Golden Jubilee earlier in his career. He was as good as ever when landing the Temple Stakes at Haydock on return, but finished unplaced in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot.

Kinsale King is an American-trained gelding who improved to win 4 in a row (all at 6f), notably the Group 1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan in March. He proved he can also handle turf when creditable third in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot.

Marchand D'or was Europe's top sprinter in 2008, landing 3 Group 1 events, including this prize. He won at Longchamp in May and met trouble in running at Royal Ascot in the Golden Jubilee, but is probably not quite the force of old.

Nicconi won 6 times in his native Australia, proving himself high-class when winning a Group 1 event in January, in which Starspangledbanner finished fourth. He got going too late when fourth to Equiano over 5f at Ascot.

Prime Defender has been in the form of his life this year, landing a listed event at Haydock and the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes this spring. Made most on the unfavoured far side when ninth in the Golden Jubillee at Royal Ascot 3 weeks ago.

Starspangledbanner was a high-class performer at up to 1 mile in Australia and has been quickly into stride for new connections, lowering the course record when winning the Group 1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot by 1¾ lengths. If he replicate that performance, he will be hard to beat.

Varenar was progressive at 3 yrs when successful 3 times, notably in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. He had his first run at 6f when a keeping-on eighth of 24 in the Golden Jubilee, finishing third in the unfavoured group.

Alverta is a smart Australian mare, and was better than ever when winning the Group 1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill in March. She possibly needed her first run for 3 months when finishing mid-field in the Golden Jubilee recently.

Fleeting Spirit stamped herself as the best sprinting filly since Lochsong when winning this race 12 months ago. She finished first home on the 'wrong' side when fourth in the Golden Jubilee on return and a bold defence is on the cards.

Serious Attitude was unbeaten at 2 yrs, gaining a Group 1 success at Newmarket in the Cheveley Park Stakes. She also won a Group 3 at York in 2009 and was an encouraging second on return in a listed, but finished behind a few of these at Royal Ascot last time.

Showcasing was a smart juvenile at 6f in 2009, and the impressive winner of the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York. He was a promising second there on return but bombed out at Royal Ascot and blinkers are resorted to now.

Society Rock is a progressive colt who won a valuable sales race at 2 yrs and a listed event at Ascot in April this year. He ran excellent race to finish second of 24 to Starspangledbanner in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee last time, faring best of those who raced off the pace.

Timeform View:
Starspangledbanner is a worthy favourite following his emphatic Ascot success, though whether he deserves to be quite so short in the betting is another matter. Society Rock did best of those from off the pace when coming through for second that day, taking his form to a new level, and he looks the value. Last year's winner Fleeting Spirit must also be respected.