Tuesday 29th June 2010
Starspangledbanner on target for Darley July Cup
Fleeting Spirit scrubs up for Darley July Cup. Picture: Chris Bourchier
TRAINER Aidan O’Brien this morning reported that Starspangledbanner in on target for a tilt at the Darley July Cup on July 9.
The son of Choisir comes into the race on the back of an impressive length and three quarters win over Society Rock in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The four-year-old has pleased his handler since that emphatic display and connections at Ballydoyle are hopeful that he can confirm himself as Europe’s leading sprinter with victory next Friday.
O’Brien said: “We have never seen a horse here with as quick fractions as he put up. His work before Ascot was incredible and his fractions are even more impressive as he has won a Group 1 over a mile in Australia.
“He seems in good form. We haven’t done much with him since but so far so good. The Darley July Cup is an important race for making stallions - for breeders it is exceptionally prestigious.”
There will be plenty of opposition to Starspangledbanner though most notably in the form of Fleeting Spirit who took the 2009 renewal of the 6f Group 1.
The Jeremy Noseda-trained filly made her belated seasonal debut in the Golden Jubilee where she finished fourth but first of the runners that raced on the far side.
Noseda said: “I was delighted with her run at Ascot. She will improve from a fitness point of view and was not drawn where the race was run.
“Touch wood if all goes to plan I think she will improve by five to seven pounds which would see her be competitive."
Noseda also has recent Wokingham Stakes winner Laddies Poker Two entered in the race.
He said: “Laddies Poker Two is a possible rather than anything else. She will be ready to run but she runs in the same ownership as Starspangledbanner so we’ll have to see.”
Society Rock is also under consideration for the Darley July Cup, trainer James Fanshawe confirmed this morning.
The son of Rock of Gibraltar put up a career best to chase home Starspangledbanner at Ascot and is certainly a young sprinter going the right way.
Fanshawe said: “I would love to run but it is just a matter of assessing his well being after he posted such a big effort at Ascot."
“We shall give him some work at the end of the week and see where we are with him.”
