Thirteen runners have been confirmed at the five-day stage for Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket, with some interesting contenders amongst them.

Venetian Sun reflects recent positive trends

In the last five years, two fillies have won the race and Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun will be aiming to enhance the record of females at Newmarket’s July course, carrying a nine-pound weight allowance against her older male rivals. Sire Starman won the race in 2021 and a preceding victory in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot is also a solid positive for the filly – Shaquille completed the same double in 2023.

Satono Reve aiming to become first international winner since 2008

With foreign focus mainly centred on Royal Ascot, the July Cup has not yielded an international winner since French victor Marchand d’Or in 2008. Japanese trainer Noriyuki Hori’s Satono Reve has been agonisingly denied in back-to-back renewals of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot but connections will be hoping he can emulate fellow compatriate Agnes World, who took the July Cup in 2000.

O’Brien back with new sprinting star

Although Aidan O’Brien was a familiar face in the July Cup during the first twenty years of the new century, taking victory at Newmarket with sprinting stars Mozart, Starspangledbanner and US Navy Flag, Mission Central will be aiming to provide the Irish maestro with a first success in the race since 2019. The son of No Nay Never is a particularly unusual runner from Ballydoyle as a rare gelded representative, but his victory in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes and unbeaten status over six furlongs makes plenty of appeal.

Outsiders hoping to emulate No Half Measures

No Half Measures caused a major upset when winning last year’s renewal at 66/1 and fellow outsiders Flora Of Bermuda (40/1), Powerful Glory (50/1), Quinault (50/1) and Prince Of India (66/1) will be hoping to make a similar impact. Andrew Balding’s Flora Of Bermuda had stall-related trouble when finishing last in the 2025 renewal and on her most recent run at Royal Ascot, but her best sprinting form – including a third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – is enough to put her in the top three on Saturday.

RUNNERS AT 5-DAY STAGE

1. Almeraq

2. Big Mojo

3. Comanche Brave

4. Double Rush

5. Powerful Glory

6. Prince Of India

7. Quinault

8. Satono Reve

9. Flora Of Bermuda

10. Coppull

11. Division

12. Mission Central

13. Venetian Sun