Darley July Cup at Newmarket Race Preview

The story of Takeover Target could probably rival that of Seabiscuit. The seven-year-old was bought for next to nothing by his taxi driver trainer, Joe Janiak, but has gone onto prove his worth by establishing himself as arguably the best sprinter in Australia at present. Now the gelding will be bidding to capture the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on July 14, for which is generally the 6/1 market leader.The son of Celtic Swing made a successful raid on the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot before bidding to follow-up four days later in the Golden Jubilee Stakes over a furlong farther at the same meeting, a-la-Choisir, who completed the famous the double three years ago.However, Takeover Target was thwarted in his bid for that Royal double, albeit he lost no caste in defeat in finishing just over two lengths third to Les Arcs. That was clearly not his true running, however. Some horses thrive on races in quick succession while others need more time between them. Patently, Takeover Target falls into the latter category.But the Aussie raider does have a big trend to buck if he's to win the July Cup: no horse over the age of five has won the six-furlong dash since 1988. In those last seventeen runnings, three and four-year-olds have accounted for thirteen winners of the prestigious Group 1 prize. And no horse has won the King's Stand and gone onto lift the July Cup in that period. He will clearly have his work cut out.Fellow compatriots Falkirk and Glamour Puss could join Takeover Target as part of a three-strong Southern Hemisphere raiding party. Falkirk, a top-priced 10/1, finished like a train when fourth to Takeover Target in the King's Stand, while Glamour Puss was not far behind in seventh. The last-named, who was hampered when well beaten in the Golden Jubilee at the same meeting, is a 16/1 chance for the July Cup.Three Irish raiders since '88 have prevailed and Aidan O'Brien may field Marcus Andronicus. The Ballydoyle maestro successfully dropped Mozart and Stravinsky in trip to win this in 2001 and 1999 respectively. Marcus Andronicus falls into a similar category having raced over a mile the last twice, faring well on each occasion, most recently when fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot where he held every chance two furlongs out but weakened close home, an effort which suggests that he will be suited by dropping to six furlongs.Les Arcs and Balthazaar's Gift, first and second respectively in the Golden Jubilee, are both likely to take their chance. Both are a best-priced 12/1 with Blue Square. Lake Coniston (1995) and Owington (1994) won the Golden Jubilee under it's former guise, the Cork & Orrey Stakes, en route to landing the July Cup.La Cucaracha, who was second home of those that raced on the "wrong" side in the King's Stand, will be aiming to become only the second member of the fairer sex to win this race in recent times - the mare Frizzante won the penultimate renewal - and Barry Hills' charge is 10/1 with Coral and William Hill.Jeremy Noseda's Soldier's Tale, absent since finishing fourth to Pastoral Pursuits when favourite for this race last year, is also available 10/1. However, if the dry weather continues, it's unlikely that the five-year-old will take his chance as connections haven't risked him on going faster than genuine good ground. Amadeus Wolf and Iffraaj, fifth and seventh respectively in the Golden Jubilee, can both be backed at 14/1 for this contest. The former is another that would probably prefer a bit more cut in the ground, though, while Godolphin will be hoping that the form of their horses improve ahead of the July meeting.