18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Darley July Cup has 15 contenders

Advertise and Frankie DettoriAdvertise and Frankie Dettori
© Photo Healy Racing

Royal Ascot winner Advertise is among 15 confirmations for the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Martyn Meade’s stable star bounced back from a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas to win the Commonwealth Cup last month in fine style

Diamond Jubilee Stakes runner-up Dream Of Dreams is his chief market rival on Saturday.

Sir Michael Stoute’s five-year-old has taken his form to a new level this season, and came within a head of denying Blue Point his famous Royal Ascot double.

Another one bringing Royal Ascot form is Roger Varian’s Cape Byron, who landed an almighty gamble in the Wokingham but faces a steep rise in grade from handicaps to Group One company.

Varian said: “It is a big jump from a Wokingham to a July Cup — but he is rated 113, so he is not going to be out of place in the line up.

“He is streetwise and has been around now, and is pretty uncomplicated.

“He goes on any ground bar very soft. There is a bit of rain around this week. It doesn’t look at this stage that it will get very soft, but it would concern me if the ground got very soft.

“He is a nice horse to have going into the July Cup.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Ten Sovereigns was unbeaten at two but failed to stay in the Guineas and was behind Advertise at Ascot, so now has something to prove.

All The King’s Men, Fairyland and So Perfect could also all go for Ballydoyle while Joseph O’Brien could run Speak In Colours.

Former winner Limato has been left in along with Brando, who has gone close a few times in this race for Kevin Ryan and is accompanied at this stage by stablemate Major Jumbo.

Michael Bell’s filly Pretty Pollyanna, Charlie Appleby’s Glorious Journey, Andrew Balding’s Donjuan Triumphant and the overseas raider Lim’s Cruiser complete the list.