G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is in good form ahead of an intended start in the July 14 G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket, as 19 entries remain on Monday. The Kevin Ryan trainee is unbeaten over the Rowley Mile, and was runner up in the G2 Duke of York S. on May 16. He was a last out fourth in the G2 Greenlands S. in Ireland behind the newly retired G1 Diamond Jubilee S. victor Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) on May 26.
“I have been training Brando especially for the Darley July Cup and he is in great form,” Ryan told the Newmarket notes team.
“I don't know what it is about Newmarket but he seems to love the place, he must like running downhill. He is a big heavy-topped horse yet is very well-balanced and seems to relish running down into the dip–he wasn't beaten very far in this race last year. It was a difficult decision to skip Royal Ascot, but I wanted him to run in the Darley July Cup and then defend his Prix Maurice de Gheest title and I didn't think it would be fair on him to go to Ascot as well. You can't run in all these championship races.”
In other July Cup news, Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal), winner of the G1 King's Stand S. over five furlongs at Royal Ascot, is also on target for the July Cup on Saturday. He could be joined by Dreamfield (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) for the Boys in Blue, but Clive Cox's MG1SW Harry's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is out of the race. The last named sustained a leg injury leaving the stalls in the G1 Diamond Jubilee and has not sufficiently healed to make Saturday's feature.
“I'm delighted with the way he's come out of the race and looking forward to him stepping back up to six,” Blue Point's trainer Charlie Appleby told At The Races. “He held the course record at Ascot as a 3-year-old, so I see no negatives about going up in trip again. Most importantly the horse has done well and we're very pleased with the way he's going into the race.”
G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Eqtidaar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and the runner-up, Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis), racing for Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Rahey, respectively, also return in the hotly contested Newmarket fixture. Aidan O'Brien currently has 10 horses still in, including MG1SW juvenile U S Navy Flag (War Front).
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