Newmarket Saturday

Darley July Cup (Group 1)

THE Darley July Cup was hailed as one of the best sprint races in recent years with three Royal Ascot winners and the disqualified Commonwealth Cup winner Dragon Symbol in the line-up.

Oxted had also won last year’s renewal and Glen Sheil was a Group 1 winner from last year’s British Champions Sprint.

The race lived up to its promise but, it was the Ed Walker-trained Starman, although only winning his first Group 1 at the age of four, who elevated himself to the head of the sprint division with a hugely impressive performance.

The imposing son of Dutch Art was very coltish and got warm in the preliminaries (trainer Walker had said in a post-race interview that he had also won his maiden “with his wedding tackle” on display).

Possibly because of this he drifted in the market out to 9/2 leaving Dragon Symbol to go off as 7/2 favourite.

From the off, the field split into three with Art Power, Supremacy and Rohaan initially dictating on the far side, though Rohan switched quickly to a middle group led by Glen Sheil while the stands side group were led by Great Effort.

Art Power showed terrific speed to still lead at the furlong pole as the nearside groups merged and Oxted and Dragon Symbol looked the biggest threats.

Shuffled back at the two-furlong marker, Tom Marquand got Starman out from behind Oxted and Dragon Symbol, and once in the clear, he was delivered perfectly by his rider to hit the front heading into the final half-furlong and came home a length and a quarter to the good over Dragon Symbol, with last year’s winner Oxted (11/2) a further short head away in third.

The form looks strong with Art Power keeping going on the far rail for fourth, Jersey Stakes winner Creative Force found it just too short but stayed on for fifth, with Glen Sheil, prominent all the way in the centre, taking fifth. Brando, at nine years of age, deserves a mention as he was only beaten less than three lengths in seventh.

The winner is owned and bred by David Ward. Starman was winning for the fifth time in just six career starts, his only defeat in soft ground on British Champions Day.

Top class

Tom Marquand hailed the four-year-old sprint star. “That turn of foot he showed up the hill was nothing short of top class. I was the one that finished second to him at York on Nahaarr and I actually thought I probably should have beaten him that day.

“He has always felt like he’s not done an awful lot in front so maybe he was just idling until I got there and it sort of flattered the winning distance a little bit.

“David and Sue Ward are the most understanding people to ride for. I managed to get beat on Primo Bacio around Chelmsford in a very average race. They are fantastic on the good days but even better on the bad days as they understand and that is why they are such avid supporters of racing as they get it.”

A delighted Walker, who had withdrawn the colt from the Diamond Jubilee last month as the ground went soft at Royal Ascot, said afterwards: “It is great. It has taken its time but better late than never as they say! It is a great feeling.

“I’ve believed so much in this horse and I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself and on him because the belief was there and it was great that it was vindicated.

“Oisin (Murphy) got off him at York and said I’ve no idea how good this horse is. At York he was so professional. Today I was very negative. If you had caught me before the race I would have been very doom and gloom.

“He always looked good but you dare dream they are all champions until they prove themselves they are not. He has just never let us down.

“I was feeling sorry for myself at the three (furlong) pole thinking ‘more bad luck in big races’.

“The Sprint Cup and Maurice de Gheest are races we will look at. It is great to win a Group 1 here as I love Newmarket. It is great for the breeders as the Wards are legends.”

Oisin Murphy, rider of runner-up Dragon Symbol, said: “He’s a very good horse and I’m thrilled for Ed Walker. I was given the choice and I picked the wrong one but I’m thrilled for their team and they’re having a fantastic season.”

Roger Teal, trainer of third-placed Oxted, was also pleased with the effort. “He’s run a cracking race. Starman missing Royal Ascot has probably been in his favour as we did that last year and he came here a fresher horse than us, but fair play to Ed Walker.”