Jarvis has grounds for concern

Michael Jarvis has reservations about the ground at Newmarket ahead of Iffraaj’s bid to justify favouritism in tomorrow’s Darley July Cup.

But it looks like the four-year-old will take his chance in the Group One showpiece.

The Zafonic colt’s career was interrupted by injury last season, but he has looked a most progressive customer this term, winning all three starts, including when justifying favouritism in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot at York.

However, that last run was on lightning-fast ground and the going is currently good to soft, good in places on the July course.

“He is fit and well, but I am slightly concerned about the ground,” said the Newmarket trainer.

“The jockeys say that the horses are getting into the ground and I have always thought my horse prefers firmer going.

“I can’t categorically say that he will run, but it would have to get a lot worse than it is now for him not to run.

“I do think he deserves a crack at a big race, although it is a big step up from a handicap to a Group One.

“He has been very impressive in his races this season and although he has to improve again, he has improved with each run and I think he can again.”

Camacho drops back to six furlongs after his creditable second to Proclamation in the Jersey Stakes last month over a furlong further.

The three-year-old was travelling strongly that day before not quite getting home and will be bidding to give Henry Cecil an eagerly-awaited first Group One victory since 2000.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah said: “We were very pleased with his performance in the Jersey and he has come out of the race very well.

“Six furlongs is probably his best trip as he won well over the distance at Haydock. This is a big step up on that and against the older horses. He is in good order and we are hopeful.”

Camacho’s rider Richard Hughes also believes a return to six furlongs will suit Camacho.

“He’s a straightforward little horse,” Hughes told At The Races.

“He needed the experience in the Jersey. That seven-furlong race was pretty rough and he was a real man of a horse that day. He just didn’t stay.

“We had an inclination going into the race that he wouldn’t stay. He hasn’t had many runs so he needed to get experience and it was easier to get it against his own age group rather than throw him into the older age group.

“It was a very good run at Haydock and a good time. He’s got a good draw.

“I like him a lot and I think he’ll be at his best over six.”

Soldier’s Tale is reported to be in “tip-top form” ahead of his first venture into top company.

The lightly-raced four-year-old goes to Headquarters on the back of an impressive victory in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.

“Soldier’s Tale is approaching the race in tip-top form. I’m sure the ground and the trip will not be an issue. This is the acid test. Jamie Spencer rides,” his trainer Jeremy Noseda told www.jeremynoseda.com.

The Newmarket-based handler does not want the ground to get too soft for his other runner Balmont, who was third to Frizzante in this race 12 months ago.

The four-year-old has been in good form recently, finishing third in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting after also filling the same spot in the Temple Stakes at Sandown.

“Balmont is in great shape. I feel he is at the top of his game. He possibly would not want the ground to become too soft,” added Noseda.

Ryan Moore is expecting a big run from his mount Galeota.

Last season’s champion apprentice believes the Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old has the form to win.

Galeota booked his place when finishing a highly-creditable second to Hong Kong raider Cape Of Good Hope in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.

“He’s a very good horse. He’s very tough and very genuine, with lots of speed. He’s still learning and I think he can sharpen up a bit more. He’s got an awful lot of early speed and he travels very well,” Moore told At The Races.

“It was a massive performance to run so well (at York) and he’s just very unlucky that a horse came from the other side of the world and beat him.

“Hopefully he will run a really good race.

“There are a couple of improving horses in there who could turn out to be very good, but on form he is probably the best horse in the race.

“He has every chance and hopefully he will win.”

Trainer Richard Hannon added: “I am very happy with his 15 draw. He’ll go on the ground, but I’d like it better if it kept drying up.”

Another three-year-old in the race is Etlaala, who was a top juvenile but has flattered to deceive since and was seventh in the Golden Jubilee Stakes last time.

Connections are concerned that he has been drawn in the middle of the pack from stall 11 and Charlie Hills, son and assistant to father Barry reported: “The draw is not the best, but he seems in good form.

“He will probably run over seven furlongs again in time, but there is nothing else to run him in at the moment and we will see how he goes.”

Of the stable’s other runner Moss Vale, Hills said: “I am looking forward to seeing him run and I think he will run a big race.”

Seasoned campaigner Avonbridge has been a model of consistency and opened his account for the season in the Palace House Stakes on the Rowley Mile in April.

He was subsequently third in the Prix De Gros-Chene, although trainer Roger Charlton is unsure as to whether he quite has the class required here.

Charlton told At The Races: “Avonbridge has run 2O times in his life and he’s never been out of the money except first-time-out, when Eddie Ahern rode him in a maiden race and said he was useless!

“Whether he is good enough to win a Group One – we’ll do our best on Thursday and find out. He’s in very good form.”

Sir Michael Stoute hopes that a truly-run race will bring the best out of his runner Arakan, even though the five-year-old would prefer a slightly longer trip.

“I don’t think six is his best trip, but he did run well in the Duke Of York over that distance last year and he ran a bit keen here in a seven-furlong race last time,” the trainer told Channel 4 Racing.

“He needs a pace to get switched off so there won’t be any problem with that tomorrow and we thought we’d take our chance.”