Confirmed runners and riders for day one of Newmarket's July festival

Star juveniles Persian Force and Little Big Bear will put their lofty reputations on the line after the pair featured among a final field of eight for the July Stakes (2.25) on the opening day of Newmarket's July festival.

The Amo Racing-owned Persian Force lost his unbeaten record when runner-up in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and will aim to get back to winning ways and provide trainer Richard Hannon with back-to-back wins in the 6f contest, having won with Lusail last year.

However, he is set to face a formidable opponent in the Aidan O'Brien-trained Little Big Bear, who won the Windsor Castle Stakes at the royal meeting last month, while Norfolk Stakes fourth Brave Nation also features among the declarations for the Group 2.

Also on the card, last year's Breeders' Cup Turf hero Yibir will bid to land his first win since his Del Mar success in November and heads a field of six for the Princess of Wales's Close Brothers Stakes (3.35).

Yibir (blue): bids to get back to winning ways in the Princess of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The four-year-old has suffered defeat in three starts since that famous triumph, including a shock odds-on defeat in the Jockey Club Stakes on the Rowley Mile before another lacklustre performance when third in the Man O' War Stakes at Belmont in May.

However, the Charlie Appleby-trained star has an unbeaten record at the three-day meeting having landed the Bahrain Trophy on the card last year.

Living Legend, Yibir's Jockey Club Stakes conqueror, is set to oppose again while dual Group 3 winner Mostahdaf will aim to go one better than his Hardwicke Stakes second at Royal Ascot last time.

Cazoo Derby fourth Masekela will bypass a test against his elders in the 1m4f Group 2 and instead contest the Bahrain Trophy (1.50) earlier on the card.

The Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old, who outran his 66-1 odds when beaten eight-and-a-quarter lengths by Desert Crown, will face stern opposition in the field of six, which includes Queen's Vase second Zechariah.

July Stakes final field

Brave NationJames Doyle
Harry TimeLeigh Roche
King's CrownBarry McHugh
Little Big BearRyan Moore
Mysterious NightWilliam Buick
Persian ForceRossa Ryan
Show RespectSean Levey
Waiting All NightHollie Doyle

Princess of Wales's Stakes final field

Living LegendRyan Moore
Global StormJames Doyle
MostahdafJim Crowley
New MandateFrankie Dettori
West End CharmerAndrea Atzeni
YibirWilliam Buick

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