One of this season's in-training purchases for Godolphin, Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), is set to be supplemented for the G1 Darley July Cup on Saturday, July 9.
The Hugo Palmer-trained 4-year-old added the G3 Timeform Jury S. to his pair of listed victories when making his first start in Godolphin's royal blue silks on May 28. His four career wins have all come over seven furlongs but he will drop back in trip for the feature race of Newmarket's July Festival.
Quoted on the Godolphin website, Palmer commented, “I'm very excited about the prospect of trying Home Of The Brave over six furlongs for the first time since his excellent run in last year's Commonwealth Cup. He is a bigger, stronger horse now, which I hope, allied to the remarkable speed he's always had, will make him a force to be reckoned with over the distance.”
While Wesley Ward's crack sprinter Undrafted (Purim) has been ruled out of the race, last season's top-rated juvenile Air Force Blue (War Front) could yet attempt to atone for disappointing efforts in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas but only if the ground dries out in time following a prolonged wet spell in Newmarket.
“He won't run again until the ground is good or faster, but we are happy with him,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien. “Hopefully, the next target for him will be the July Cup.”
A further potential absentee from the Group 1 contest is The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), who posted a lacklustre effort when strongly fancied for the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot.
Hi trainer James Fanshawe reflected on Saturday's performance, saying, “We always aimed to get some cover but even though we weren't making it [the running], he was always doing a little too much early on. Tom [Queally, jockey] felt the ground didn't suit him either, which is not an excuse.”
He added, “He was fine after the race, which is the main thing. I always felt he'd be suited by the ground, but Tom just felt it wasn't ideal. He's in the July Cup but we'll see how he is this week. We were disappointed after the race so it might be nice to get him winning again if we can and then go again in the autumn. We'll see how he is in the next 10 days.”
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