Star-Studded 71-Strong Entry Received For Darley July Cup

A sensational entry of 71 horses, five up on last year, has been received for Europe?s most valuable Group One sprint, the #375,000 Darley July Cup, including three from Australia, one from South Africa, four from France, one from Germany and 12 from Ireland.

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Newmarket?s richest race, run over six furlongs on Friday, July 13, the third and final day of the Ritz Club July Festival, is expected to deliver a fascinating clash of generations and continents, with Australian sprinting sensation Miss Andretti a potential rival for last year?s brilliant Stan James 2000 Guineas hero George Washington, trained by Aidan O?Brien.

The Lee Freedman-trained six-year-old mare has won all her three starts at the highest level in 2007 and could be joined on the July Course by talented compatriots Magnus and Bentley Biscuit, while George Washington has yet to be seen in action this campaign, having initially been retired to stud at the end of his three-year-old season.

Les Arcs added Darley July Cup glory to his Golden Jubilee Stakes victory last year for rookie handler Tim Pitt, holding off the late rattle of Iffraaj, and could bid for back-to-back wins. Ashdown Express, Amadeus Wolf, Moss Vale, Quito, Pivotal Point, Gift Horse, Fayr Jag and Red Clubs could all reoppose from the 2006 renewal.

The Richard Hannon-trained Asset looked a sprinter to follow when powering clear of stablemate Assertive in the Listed Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in course record time on his seasonal debut on April 19, while Tax Free, trained by David Nicholls, captured the Group Three Stan James Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day.

Sakhee?s Secret, trained by Hughie Morrison, could not have been more impressive when hammering 17 opponents in the Voute Sales Handicap on the NatWest Rowley Mile on April 18, barely coming off the bridle in beating Aahayson by five lengths, while Al Qasi has yet to be seen this term but looked destined for big things in 2006, winning four times, and is rated a high-class individual by trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.

The Classic generation is strongly represented in this year?s Darley July Cup entries, and includes Vital Equine, trained by Eoghan O?Neill, who beat all bar Cockney Rebel in the Stan James 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5. French challenger US Ranger, in the care of Europe?s winning-most trainer, Jean Claude Rouget, finished seventh that day, losing his unbeaten record in the process.

Dutch Art ran a fine third in the first Classic of the season with Major Cadeaux, Haatef, Prime Defender and South African raider Drayton further back.

The John Oxx-trained Arch Swing chased home Finsceal Beo in the Stan James 1000 Guineas on May 6, the first time she had tasted defeat, with Theann back in 10th place.

Astronomer Royal, from the powerful Irish yard of Aidan O?Brien, caused something of a surprise when capturing the Poule d?Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) at Longchamp on May 13, with stable companions Honoured Guest and Excellent Art in third and fourth. The Jeremy Noseda-trained Sander Camillo could only finish eighth to Darjina in the fillies? equivalent on the same card.

Other fascinating entries include Mark Wallace?s Benbaun, last seen running third to Absolute Champion in the Hong Kong Sprint in December, Godolphin duo Bygone Days and Opera Cape, both Group Three winners, and Borderlescott, trained by Robin Bastiman, whose successes in 2006 featured the Stewards? Cup at Goodwood, when he had the James Fanshawe-trained Firenze behind in third.

Irish hope Dandy Man, trained by Tracey Collins, took the Group Three Palace House Stakes at Newmarket last season in grand style, and looked as good as ever on his return at Naas on April 21 in the Listed Woodlands Stakes, defeating Flash McGahon by four and a half lengths.

The Freddy Head-trained Marchand d?Or came home two lengths in front of Satri in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs at Deauville in August. New Girlfriend, trained by Robert Collet, completes the French quartet.

Electric Beat is the German-trained entry. Andreas Lowe?s four-year-old colt, a Group Three scorer last year, ran fifth to the useful Linngari in a Group Two contest at Baden-Baden on his most recent outing.

Al Qasi, Amadeus Wolf, Assertive, Conquest, Fayr Jag, Gift Horse, Les Arcs, Moss Vale, Quito, Red Clubs, Rising Shadow and Soldier?s Tale put their Darley July Cup credentials on the line in the Group Two Duke of York Stakes, run over six furlongs at York today (Wednesday, May 16).

Michael Prosser, Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing at Newmarket Racecourses, said: 'The Darley July Cup?s position as the most prestigious sprint race in Europe has been richly rewarded with this stunning international entry.

'The redeveloped July Course is set to be the scene of a truly fantastic sprint on Friday, July 13, the final day of our Ritz Club July Festival.'