July Stronghold

Successful in the last three renewals of Newmarket's G2 Arqana July S. and in four of the last five, the Richard Hannon stable, which is now run by Jr., is the first port of call ahead of Thursday's edition. Double-handed this time with Al Shaqab Racing's Eltezam (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar's Orvar (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), the operation has a strong hand, with the former the most obvious contender on his latest third in Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry S. last time June 16. That is the hottest juvenile form on offer so far in Europe this year and Frankie Dettori has chosen him over the same owner's Rowley Mile maiden scorer Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Orvar was sixth in the Listed Windsor Castle S. also at the Royal meeting June 16 and has something to find on that form.

“Eltezam is a big colt and, though he ran a smashing race to finish third in the Coventry S. at Royal Ascot, we feel that he has improved since,” their trainer said. “He has strengthened and put on weight and, though Goodwood is definitely on the cards, the July S. is too good a race to pass by and the three-week gap is ideal. Orvar will need to step up on his sixth in the Windsor Castle S., but his 17 draw did him no favors there as all the action was far side and he did not get competitive until it was all over. The extra furlong will suit him.”

Second to Eltezam in a Haydock maiden May 28, Shadwell's Elronaq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) looked smart when going one better over this track and trip June 19 and rates a major threat. “He's just had the two runs, running a very promising race first time before winning his maiden well,” Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, commented. “Hopefully he's come on again from that and he is potentially a nice horse, I think.”

Second and third in the Windsor Castle respectively, Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah's Areen (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Godolphin's Steady Pace (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) re-oppose, with the former likely to start favorite. The least exposed in the line-up is the Ed Walker-trained Experto Crede (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who scored with authority on debut over this course and distance a fortnight ago. “He's very exciting. He was an expensive breeze-up colt and is a big, good-looking horse,” his conditioner said. “I think in time he'll be good enough. Whether it comes a bit early in his career, time will tell and it's only two weeks after his debut. He's still possibly a little bit on the weak side, but we think he's very smart and we're looking forward to seeing him out. He had a lovely introduction and he just did it very naturally, so I think there will be a lot of improvement.”