July Cup tips and odds: Shaquille backed for glory

Publish date: 2024-07-30

The July Cup is the feature race on the third and final day of the July Festival at Newmarket. The Group 1 contest includes some of the fastest sprinters in Europe, as they bid to win one of the leading prizes in the short-distance division.

A field of nine runners has been declared this year. The front two home in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot feature, as three-year-olds Shaquille and Little Big Bear look to prove they can have success against the more mature horses, while Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner Khaadem has also been supplemented as he bids for more Group 1 glory.

Irishman Aidan O’Brien has won the July Cup five times in his career and a triumph in 2023 with Little Big Bear will ensure he holds the record outright for the most victories as a trainer.

Newmarket, 4.35, Saturday July 15 – July Cup odds

Odds are courtesy of Sky Bet, correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

July Cup betting predictions

Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.

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Shaquille to make the most of age allowance

It has been quite a season so far for Shaquille, a sprinter who has won all three of his races in the campaign, rising from a Class 2 handicap to Group 1 level. His latest success came in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on June 23, where he proved too fast for his fellow three-year-olds.

When he reared up in the stalls and came out slowly in the Commonwealth Cup, it looked as though he had blown his chances right at the start. However, jockey Oisin Murphy remained calm and he gradually progressed through the field, passing every rival to win the valuable prize.

Shaquille will meet Ballydoyle colt Little Big Bear once again in the July Cup, and there have to be doubts about the latter’s fitness. The Irish-based horse bruised a foot in the build-up to this race and there were concerns about whether he would even be declared. O’Brien has opted to take a chance with his sprinter, but it is far from ideal prep as they bid to reverse the form with the Royal Ascot winner.

Julie Camacho’s runner is one of the success stories of the season so far. The colt can make the most of the weight allowance he will be getting from the older horses to record a second straight victory at the highest level.

Selection: Shaquille @ 9/4 with Sky Bet

Course-and-distance winner Azure Blue will relish return to HQ

Newmarket is a racecourse where Azure Blue often produces her best form. She has been successful three times on the Rowley Mile, while 12 months ago she prevailed on the July Course in a 6f contest.

Michael Dods’s runner began the campaign in Listed company, winning the Ellen Chaloner Stakes. She showed no signs of any rustiness on her seasonal reappearance, scoring by just under a length after a strong finish.

The daughter of El Kabeir, out of Sea Of Dreams, stepped up in class last time out at York to win the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes. That was a big victory, as she finished a half-length ahead of Highfield Princess, a mare who dominated the sprint division at the back end of last season.

It is likely that Azure Blue has not stopped improving yet – and if that is the case, she is a big player on her first attempt at a Group 1 contest in the feature on the final day of the meeting.

Selection: Azure Blue @ 7/2 with Sky Bet

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