JJ ready for the July cup

J J THE JET PLANE completed his preparations for Friday's Darley July Cup with a routine canter under Juan Nell on Newmarket's Al Bahathri Polytrack on Tuesday morning.

Connections were pleased with the five-year-old's light exercise after he had his final serious gallop on the Polytrack 24 hours earlier.

The Mike de Kock-trained gelding, who started the 5-2 favourite when finishing fourth behind Art Connoisseur in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot, will be looking to reverse placings with that rival in Friday's Group 1.

Nell, assistant to De Kock, said: "We were pleased with him on Monday and everything appears on schedule with him."

Spoke with Lucky, he will be at the big T, but he is reasonably confident of a good race at reasonable odds, my own opinion is that JJ had a scare at Ascot.

expect a closer race me thinks this time - keep raining!

Overnight rain eases Newmarket going


THE going at Newmarket on day one of the Champagne Lanson July festival has eased to good, good to soft in places following 6mm of rain in the last 24 hours.


Only light rain fell at the track on Tuesday when the going was described as good, however, further rain last night has changed the going to good, good to soft in places.



The feature race on the opening day is the Group 1 Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes featuring Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova.

Despite disappointing on her return to action in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp in May, Goldikova has been well supported this morning and is a general 2-1 favourite.

Rainbow View, who ran well when finishing third at Royal Ascot on her latest run, heads the challengers which also includes Windsor Forest Stakes first and second, Spacious and Heaven Sent. The one mile contest gets on the way at 3.10pm.

Jamster Wrote:

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> expect a closer race me thinks this time - keep
> raining!



Expected to get faster jim,flying six furlongs down hill for 900m then a 300m climb,nothing was coming from behind today...

I think this track gonna suit JJ and Mikes style..his horses just dont stop..the harder the finish the better.

De Kock seemed to indicate that JJ needs further?

I feel 10/1 a win and 5/2 a place is worth a strike? but was wrong before.

Newmarket 6f july course looks a lot stiffer than Ascot 6f.Will suit JJ.

Anyone who writes JJ, MDK and Shea off do so at their own peril!

Go boys .

100's just think that Scenic Blast is really something very special.

Don`t rule him out


The veteran Takeover Target is something of a forgotten horse in Friday's Darley July Cup - but that suits his jockey, Jay Ford.


Joe Janiak's 10-year-old was forced to miss Ascot, but the multiple Group One winner is out to prove he can still mix it with the best.

"You still get the people who pop their heads in to give him a pat, but it's nothing like it's been in the past," said Ford.

"I can't recall the last time it was like this before a race.

"Even when he won the Salinger (his first Group One) there was still a little hype around him then.

"After Scenic Blast won the King's Stand, we've been able to slip under the radar.

"But I reckon we'll let them all know we're there on Friday and will give the scribes something to write about," he told The Australian Daily Telegraph.

I hope it's a fast run race the false pace found jj out at ascot - the faster they go the better imho.
I don't think Shea will be caught out at the 500m this time!

Go JJ go!

May the best Horse win
(oscar - I'm scared of scenic too bud)