THERE is a good order to the programme for the top sprinters now and that is due in no small part to the introduction of the Commonwealth Cup three years ago.

Today’s Darley July Cup is one of the most intriguing July Cups for years: the one-two-three from the Diamond Jubilee taking on the one-two from the Commonwealth Cup. It’s a clash of the sprinting generations and it is fascinating.

Two years ago, the first Commonwealth Cup winner Muhaarar came onto Newmarket after Ascot and landed the July Cup. Last year’s Commonwealth Cup winner Quiet Reflection finished third in the July Cup behind Limato and Suedois.

It’s a process now, the three-year-old sprinters can gain Group 1 experience against their contemporaries in June before stepping up to take on their elders in July.

You can argue that three-year-olds could run in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, or that they could have run in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot before the instigation of the Commonwealth Cup, until which time it was open to the classic generation. And many have, many three-year-olds have won the Diamond Jubilee.

However, there is a chance that connections of Caravaggio or Harry Angel or Blue Point would have tried to stretch out their stamina, run in a Guineas trial, or run in a Guineas, and if that didn’t work out, drop back in trip for the Jersey Stakes, or even take a circuitous route to today’s July Cup.

More than that, though, while many three-year-olds are on the Diamond Jubilee roll of honour – history tells you that 19 three-year-olds have won the race since the pattern was instigated in 1971 – 17 of those wins were gained when it was a Group 3 race. No three-year-old won it during its four-year tenure as a Group 2, and just two won it in 13 renewals as the Group 1 Golden/Diamond Jubilee, open to three-year-olds.

We should know today how the three-year-old sprinters compare with their elders and today is time enough.