Mark Costello

A CLASH between Muhaarar and Brazen Beau looks on the cards for next Saturday’s Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

So impressive in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the three-year-old Muhaarar is the 100/30 favourite with Paddy Power for the six-furlong Group 1 event.

The Australian Brazen Beau was considered by many to be an unlucky loser of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting, having raced on his own for the entire race and only being beaten narrowly by the American challenger Undrafted.

Darley, who hold a controlling interest in the horse, have decided to replace jockey Craig Williams with their own James Doyle at Newmarket.

Eddie Lynam, who won the July Cup last year with Slade Power, has confirmed his intention to run Anthem Alexander at Newmarket. She finished third at Ascot behind Muhaarar.

Charles Hills, trainer of Muharaar, said: “A stiff six furlongs is good for him so Newmarket’s uphill finish should suit and he’s pretty versatile ground-wise. It was almost heavy when he won on his racecourse debut.”

The three-day July meeting begins next Thursday when there are three important stakes races scheduled - the Group 3 Bahrain Stakes (1m 5f), the Group 2 July Stakes (6f) and the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes (1m 4f).

Godolphin’s Royal Ascot winner Space Age could put his St Leger credentials to the test in the Bahrain Stakes, while Richard Hannon is responsible for six of the 16 entries in the July Stakes (Aidan O’Brien is not represented). John Gosden’s unbeaten four-year-old Mahsoob is an eye-catching entry in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes.

Friday’s feature is the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes - a race French trainer Carlos Laffon-Parais is targeting with Bawina. The Dubawi four-year-old filly has not raced since winning the Group 2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on May 1st.

Christophe Soumillon has been booked to partner Avenir Certain in this race. The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained filly won the French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks during a tremendous campaign last season, but has not yet scaled those heights so far as a four-year-old.

Avenir Certain disappointed on her Saint-Cloud return, but did shape with more encouragement when touched off by Andre Fabre’s Fintry in a Group 3 at Chantilly last month.

This race is also the target for the Marco Botti-trained Euro Charline, who was withdrawn at Royal Ascot by order of the starter after failing to load. She will have special assistance from stalls expert Steve ‘Yarmy’ Dyble next week.

July Cup betting

100/30 Muharaar, 7/2 Brazen Beau, 12 Limato, Mustajeeb, 16 Anthem Alexander, G Force, Muthmir, 20 Due Diligence, Sole Power, 25/1 bar.