Jet Plane set for takeoff
South Africa’s champion sprinter won his first start in England but upped in class for the Golden Jubilee at the Royal meeting, he could only finish fourth.
However, he showed a pleasing attitude that day and battled back past a handful of runners inside the final furlong to leave his handler convinced the stiffer track in Suffolk will be much more to his liking.
“I think this track will suit him a lot better than Ascot and tactically I think the race will be more up his street as we can sit off the pace with him rather than let him run on,” said De Kock.
“He did finish his race well at Ascot, he battled back past a few horses who passed him and he never gave up.
“That race will have really put an edge on him and he is 100% for tomorrow.
“The Aussie horse, Scenic Blast, is going to be very tough to beat but we’ll be out there trying hard, I can tell you that much.
“It’s a hell of a race with Paco Boy in there too and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The participation of Queen Anne winner Paco Boy is in some doubt if the ground continues to dry out.
“We had to make a decision first thing on Wednesday morning and the reason I declared Paco Boy was because of all the rain and if the ground is suitable, we will run,” said Hannon.
“But Newmarket can dry up quickly and if on Friday morning we feel that the turf has dried out too much, we won’t hesitate to pull him out.
“I have been open about the situation with Paco Boy all the way along the line.
“We don’t think we saw anything from the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot to worry us too much and while Scenic Blast is obviously exceptional, we are not worried about the opposition, just the state of the ground.
“If it suits us we will run – and with (Richard) Hughesie banned and Ryan (Moore) claimed by Sir Michael Stoute, we have been lucky to get Jimmy Fortune - but, if not, we will wait for the Prix Maurice de Gheest and the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville,” he told www.richardhannonracing.tv.
Australian raider Scenic Blast has been the one punters have wanted to be with since his cosy success in the King’s Stand at Ascot.
And although the July Cup is over a furlong further, his jockey Steven Arnold is not concerned.
“We know the form of his rivals and nothing seems to have burst on to the scene since Scenic Blast won the King’s Stand,” said Arnold.
“If he turns up in the same form at Newmarket, and everything suggests he will, then he’s going to be the one to beat again. He’s not a weak sprinter, so the extra 200 metres (furlong) won’t bother him, especially now he’s had that strong run in the King’s Stand under his belt.
“He’s also got a second at Group One level over 1600m (a mile), albeit against his own age, in the Caulfield Guineas.
“And he was very strong at the end of his Ascot win,” he told www.heraldsun.com.au.
Golden Jubilee winner Art Connoisseur arguably represents the best chance of a British-trained winner. It looks like it’s going to be really lovely ground for him and he has thrived since Royal Ascot,” said Bell.
July Cup: Cashmans bet - 6/4 Scenic Blast, 5 Paco Boy, 7 J.J. The Jet Plane, 8 Art Connoisseur, 10 Takeover Target, Fleeting Spirit, 14 Main Aim, 16 African Rose, 25 Bar
