SCEPTICAL is set to have another crack at Group 1 company in next Saturday's Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Trained by Denis Hogan, Sceptical finished a close third to Hello Youmzain and Dream Of Dreams in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. The Kevin Ryan-trained winner is again among the 15 entered for Saturday's race, though stable companion Dream Of Dreams is not.

Another Royal Ascot heroe Golden Horde is also engaged. Golden Horde landed the Commonwealth Cup at last month’s showpiece meeting and is a best priced 3/1 favourite to provide trainer Clive Cox with a third July Cup success, following the triumphs of Golden Horde’s sire Lethal Force (2013) and Harry Angel (2017). Sceptical is the 4/1 second favourite generally.

Aidan O’Brien is set to rely on Southern Hills to provide him with a third straight win in the race and a record sixth victory overall.

Diamond Jubilee fourth Khaadem and King’s Stand runner-up Equilateral, who will be running for new owner Fitri Hay, could represent Charlie Hills, Richard Hannon’s Threat could drop back in trip after finishing fifth in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Oxted will bid to follow up his win in the Abernant for Roger Teal.

Queen Anne third Marie’s Diamond (Mark Johnston), Judicial (Julie Camacho), Lord Of The Lodge (Karl Burke), German contender Namos (Dominik Moser) Shine So Bright (Andrew Balding) and Sir Dancealot (David Elsworth) are the other hopefuls.

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