Iffraaj Ready For Big Test

Michael Jarvis hopes that Iffraaj has the necessary improvement in him to step up in class from handicap to Group One company in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket tomorrow.

The four-year-old´s career was interrupted by injury last season.

But he has looked a most progressive customer this term, winning all three starts, including the Victoria Cup and when justifying favouritism in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot at York.

Jarvis said: 'Iffraaj is fine - he´s in good form and fit and well.

'I do think he deserves a crack at a big race, although it is a big step up from a handicap to a Group One.

'He has been very impressive in his races this season and although he has to improve again, he has improved with each run and I think he can again.'

Iffraaj´s last run was on very fast ground, but with the going currently good to soft, good in places on the July Course, his handler would rather not see any more rain.

He added: 'He had a final blow on Long Hill yesterday. I don´t think he wants it too soft - he´s a good ground horse.'

Soldier´s Tale is reported to be in 'tip-top form' ahead of his first venture into top company.

The lightly-raced four-year-old goes to Headquarters on the back of an impressive victory in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.

'Soldier´s Tale is approaching the race in tip-top form. I´m sure the ground and the trip will not be an issue. This is the acid test. Jamie Spencer rides,' his trainer Jeremy Noseda told www.jeremynoseda.com.

The Newmarket trainer does not want the ground to get too soft for his other runner Balmont, who was third to Frizzante in this race 12 months ago.

The four-year-old has been in good form recently, finishing third in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting after also filling the same spot in the Temple Stakes at Sandown.

'Balmont is in great shape. I feel he is at the top of his game. He possibly would not want the ground to become too soft,' added Noseda.

Ryan Moore is expecting a big run from his mount Galeota.

Last season´s champion apprentice believes the Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old has the form to win.

Galeota booked his place when finishing a highly-creditable second to Hong Kong raider Cape Of Good Hope in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.

'He´s a very good horse. He´s very tough and very genuine, with lots of speed. He´s still learning and I think he can sharpen up a bit more. He´s got an awful lot of early speed and he travels very well,' Moore told At The Races.

'It was a massive performance to run so well (at York) and he´s just very unlucky that a horse came from the other side of the world and beat him.

'Hopefully he will run a really good race.

'There are a couple of improving horses in there who could turn out to be very good, but on form he is probably the best horse in the race.

'He has every chance and hopefully he will win.'

Brian Meehan is hoping the rain stays away to boost the chances of Leitrim House.

The four-year-old son of 1989 July Cup hero Cadeaux Genereux has delighted the Upper Lambourn trainer since returning in style after a 12-month absence to take a Listed race at Salisbury last month.

'I probably wouldn´t want much more rain for him. I´d like it to turn to good before he runs tomorrow, but we´ll cross that bridge when we come to it,' Meehan told At The Races.

'He´s in great form and he´s been working really well. He´s such a nice old horse now. I´m really looking forward to running him in one of these races.

'If conditions got any worse we would have to seriously think about whether we run or not.

'The draw (seven) is fine. There are 20 runners. Whether they will split or not we don´t know. We´ll see, but it´s fair draw.'

? PA Sport