Who wins the 2022 July Cup? Assessing the key contenders in a sprint to savour

Another big weekend of Flat racing looms and on Saturday all eyes will be on the July Cup (4.25 Newmarket). It promises to be a sprint to savour, with Perfect Power favourite to follow up his Commonwealth Cup victory. Here we assess his big-race claims, along with four more key contenders . . .

Perfect Power

Form 11-171

Strengths The apple of Richard Fahey's eye, Perfect Power was electric in winning the Commonwealth Cup. Christophe Soumillon is his likely partner and the Belgian comes off the back off a fine winning ride on Vadeni in the Coral-Eclipse.

Weaknesses This is a fairly quick turnaround from Royal Ascot but his credentials look solid – his disappointing 2,000 Guineas run can easily be forgiven.

Odds 2-1

What they say Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum

"We don't know where he's going and we'll wait until the last minute. We would prefer to go to Newmarket as the July Cup is a bit more prestigious, but there's the alternative of the Prix Jean Prat on Sunday.

"He's working tomorrow [Tuesday] and we're leaving it all to Richard as he gets it right. It depends on the rain and how much water they're going to put on at Newmarket. He really wants easier ground, which he'll probably get in Deauville."

Artorius: bidding to go one better at NewmarketCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Artorius

Form 33-663

Strengths Artorius's first run outside of Australia was a strong-finishing, narrow third in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes last month. He is bound to improve from Royal Ascot, and the decision to extend his European campaign suggests connections are confident.

Weaknesses The three-year-old will need to reverse the form with both Naval Crown and Creative Force, two four-year-olds who finished ahead of him last time out.

Odds 7-2

What they say Sam Freedman, joint-trainer (after Artorius galloped on the July course last week)

"He didn't have a hard gallop but quickened it up the last two furlongs and was just hitting top gear crossing the line. He seemed to handle the track which looks stiffer than Ascot.

"Providing he's in touch with them between the three and the two he should be in business. We expect him to finish pretty hard as he usually does."

Creative Force

Form 261-02

Strengths Broke his Group 1 duck in the Champion Sprint Stakes at Ascot last October and was only narrowly beaten from a tricky draw at Royal Ascot.

Weaknesses Needs to make amends for his defeat to stablemate Naval Crown, who went off at 33-1. Might find the two ahead of him in the market too good.

Odds 9-2

What they say Charlie Appleby, trainer (after Platinum Jubilee Stakes)

"I thought Creative Force ran a blinder from his draw. If it had been easy ground I’d have put Creative Force right in the mix as he’s been there and done it in the top races, whereas Naval Crown is just coming through the sprinting division."

Naval Crown (rail) edges out Creative ForceCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Naval Crown

Form 8-1041

Strengths Naval Crown is a Royal Ascot winner and will go off at Newmarket far shorter than his 33-1 starting price when winning the Platinum Jubilee Stakes. Still learning his trade over 6f.

Weaknesses Will no longer be under the radar following last month's success and there could be others who have more improvement in them – especially the three-year-olds.

Odds 6-1

What they say Charlie Appleby, trainer (after Platinum Jubilee Stakes)

"The one thing Naval Crown had coming into this race was that he was still learning to sprint, and he’d only done it once before in his life when he ran in Dubai last time. It’s a stiff six here, so that was going to help."

Flaming Rib

Form 1-6122

Strengths The Hugo Palmer-trained three-year-old ran a fine second at Royal Ascot and was supplemented for the July Cup on Monday at a cost of £36,000, meaning connections – including Michael Owen – must be confident.

Weaknesses Since joining Palmer from Tom Dascombe in April, Flaming Rib has met Perfect Power twice and been defeated twice. Is he good enough to avenge his narrow defeat in the Commonwealth Cup?

Odds 8-1

What they say Hugo Palmer, trainer (after the Commonwealth Cup)

"Second place is the first loser and it's never somewhere that nice to be but we're really proud of what he's done and we're looking forward to a rematch at some stage."

2022 July Cup offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, here.
• Betfair have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today, simply sign up to a new account here.
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available. Sign up here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers here.
• 888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

Darley July Cup Stakes (4.25 Newmarket, Saturday)

bet365: 2 Perfect Power, 7-2 Artorius, 9-2 Creative Force, 6 Naval Crown, 8 Flaming Rib, 16 Cadamosto, Alcohol Free, Romantic Proposal, Happy Romance, 25 bar

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Michael Owen: 'Flaming Rib deserves July Cup shot – he has improved a lot'

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