Iffraaj heads July field

Rising sprint stars Iffraaj and Soldier’s Tale head a maximum field of 20 for Thursday’s Darley July Cup after today’s final declaration stage.

The pair, trained by Michael Jarvis and Jeremy Noseda respectively, are both unbeaten this season but they will be stepping up to Group One level for the first time.

Iffraaj is the 7-2 favourite with Ladbrokes for the six-furlong event after winning the Wokingham Stakes last time while Soldier’s Tale, winner of the Chipchase Stakes, is a 4-1 chance.

Galeota, runner-up in the Golden Jubilee Stakes last month, stands his ground along with the third and fourth from that race, Balmont and Royal Millennium.

Camacho will bid to end Henry Cecil’s search for a first victory at the highest level since 2000 while Japanese raider Keeneland Swan has his second British outing after his Golden Jubilee 10th.

One-time 2000 Guineas hope Etlaala will have another crack at sprinting after disappointing at the Royal meeting while last year’s runner-up Ashdown Express will try to go one place better for trainer Chris Wall.

Tim Easterby will be represented by Somnus, although his stablemate Fayr Jag has missed out and is one of two reserves along with Barry Hills’s La Cucaracha.

Hills will have a runner though as Moss Vale is in the race while Richard Hannon has declared Boogie Street with the proviso of no further significant rain.

Ad Valorem, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was not declared having run in France at the weekend while Captain Hurricane was eliminated after 23 horses were left in the race.