'He's got a very strong chance' - Watson talks up Dragon Symbol in July Cup

Archie Watson is optimistic there is more to come from leading Darley July Cup contender Dragon Symbol, who was first past the post in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month but was demoted to second after hampering Campanelle.

Connections appealed unsuccessfully against that decision recently but Watson believes Dragon Symbol has sound claims of breaking through at the highest level in the Saturday showpiece at Newmarket, for which he is quoted at 5-1 by William Hill.

Owned by Yoshiro Kubota, the son of Cable Bay won his first four races before finishing second to Rohaan in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock and producing his eyecatching effort at the royal meeting.

July Cup entries and betting

Watson said: "He's not technically a stakes winner but he's probably very unfortunate not to be unbeaten. He's still very much learning on the job. He was only beaten a nose at Haydock on his first start on turf over six furlongs when the ground was very heavy.

"He ran a huge race at Ascot and has proved himself to be a proper Group 1 horse. Things get serious when the three-year-olds step up against the older horses when the two divisions meet and I just hope he can continue to progress. On the balance of form he's got a very strong chance on Saturday."

Watson's sole top-flight win came when Glen Shiel struck in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot last year and Glen Shiel is also due to represent the Lambourn yard in the July Cup after his smart second in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

"I think we know where we are at with Glen Shiel as he can win these Group 1s and he's consistent at his level, which is more than enough to win a July Cup under the right circumstances," the trainer added.

"I'd say with Dragon Symbol we don't really know where his peak is yet. I'd say they ran similar races on the figures at Ascot and it wouldn't surprise me to see either horse finish in front of the other as they're both high-class sprinters."

King's Stand winner Oxted, who landed the prestigious sprint 12 months ago, and the emerging four-year-old Starman head the betting this weekend and Watson anticipates a hot race.

He said: "It 's an incredibly strong race, as you have all the strands of form coming together. You've got Oxted coming back up from five furlongs, you have got Dragon Symbol from the Commonwealth Cup, Rohaan from the Wokingham and Glen Shiel and Starman.

"It is probably the most competitive race of the season so far and it is great to be involved. I'd love to win and we go there with two good chances."

The ground on the opening day of the July festival at Newmarket will be good to firm.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, clerk of the course Michael Prosser said: "We had a breezy, bright day on Wednesday and took the decision to irrigate to hold the ground at good to firm. We've put 5mm on the course. There is a low percentage chance of showers on Thursday afternoon but it is forecast to be a largely dry day with sunny spells and temperatures of around 21C.

"We're expecting a very similar day on Friday but there's still uncertainty on Saturday and the conditions will depend on how far a weather front moves into East Anglia from the south, which would bring rain. At this point, it is unclear how far it will push towards Newmarket.

"It's a movable feast as on Wednesday morning, the forecast for Saturday was for a largely dry day. We're watching it in the background but at the moment we're forecast light rain on Saturday morning."

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