Cumani Bids For Fourth Old Newton Cup With Soulacroix

Luca Cumani revealed today that Soulacroix will line up in the #85,000 bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock Park on Saturday, July 8.

The Newmarket handler first landed the historic 12-furlong event in with Zaralaska in 1997, and followed up with subsequent dual Group One winner Alkaased in 2004 and Zeitgeist last year.

Having previously been in the care of Amanda Perrett, Soulacroix made a winning debut for Cumani when scoring on his seasonal reappearance in a 12-furlong lady amateur riders handicap at York on June 17, when partnered by the trainer´s daughter, Francesca.

Cumani said today: 'Soulacroix is an intended runner in the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock.

'I was very happy with his last performance. He did it very well, although it wasn´t as competitive as Saturday´s contest will be.

'He has come out of the race in good shape and has benefited from the run. He didn´t mind the ground as it was at York [good to firm] so I am hoping for more of the same, as he seemed to operate well on it.

'It just takes a good horse to win this - that´s all! He has a chance and is in grand form but he´s by no means a certainty - it´s a very hot race.'

The five-year-old´s opponents on Saturday could include the George Margarson-trained Young Mick, winner of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Signatory, trained by John Gosden, impressive when taking a Newmarket handicap on May 26 by three lengths from subsequent Northumberland Plate second River Alhaarth.

The master of Bedford Lodge also has Princess Nada engaged in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks but no decision has been made as to her participation yet.