Newmarket July Cup Betting Preview, Tips and Trends

The July Cup is one of the biggest sprint contests of the flat calendar in Great Britain. It’s a six-furlong dash contested on the July Course at Newmarket and is part of the British Champions Series. The feature race of the July Festival meeting, it’s worth £141,775 and has an acclaimed role of honour.

Notable winners include the likes of Muhaarar, Limato, Harry Angel and most recently, Ten Sovereigns. It’s a race that has stayed in UK and Irish hands since 2008, with Freddy Head’s Marchand d’Or scooping the price under Davy Bonilla. Aidan O’Brien has won the last two renewals but he looks to have a very slim chance in 2020, with just one runner at huge odds.

You can find everything you need to know about the July Cup below, from the thoughts and analysis of our experts, valuable stats and trends, free bets and our July Cup tip.

July Cup Runners and Riders

Golden Horde

Progressive sprinter who ended last season with a narrow Group 1 defeat at Newmarket behind Earthlight. Posted a career-best on return when landing the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and should have plenty more to offer for an in-form stable; sets the standard

Sceptical

Popular four-year-old who rose to prominence after recording four wins on the bounce over the winter and into the spring, impressively taking Listed honours at Naas for the latter success. Went down narrowly in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot and perhaps he may prefer five furlongs at this level.

Hello Youmzain

Group 1 winner at Haydock last season and was better than ever on return when toughing it out to win the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot over Sceptical. Still lightly-raced overall and the best is likely yet to come. Pace angle and the one they’ll all have to pass late on.

Khaadem 

Had his day in the sun when impressively winning the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Has yet to match that form in group company since, though his return fourth to Hello Youmzain in the Diamond Jubilee was much more like it. Nevertheless, he needs a career-best to be winning this.

Threat

Dual Group 2 winner as a juvenile, including over the six-furlong distance. Travelled up strongly on return in the St James’s Palace but couldn’t sustain his effort. A drop back in distance to six furlongs raises question marks and he’ll need a strong pace to aim to be involved.

July Cup Tip

The progressive son of Lethal Force was a Group 2 winner at Goodwood last August and caught the eye with two good performances behind Earthlight at both Deauville and Newmarket. His return victory in the Commonwealth Cup was a career-best effort and never really looked in doubt, travelling well into the contest and finding plenty for pressure to see off his rivals comfortably. Clive Cox’s string are in superb form at present and it’s difficult to see this exciting sprinter being defeated.

July Cup Trends

• 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 3 or 4
• 8 of the last 12 winners were rated 115 or higher
• 8 of the last 12 winners had run at Newmarket previously
• 8 of the last 12 winners had won at Group 1 level
• 7 of the last 12 winners won their most recent start

With the 2020 campaign starting so late for the flat horses, the potential for a horse to buck the trend is more possible than recent years.

Nevertheless, Golden Horde fits all the trends and backs up his favouritism for the contest. He’s got previous Newmarket experience and was a Group 1 winner on his most recent outing. He’s joint highest-rated alongside Hello Youmzain, who fills all the trends bar one, which is his lack of Newmarket experience.

Newmarket Free Bets

The Saturday of Newmarket’s July Festival is one of the biggest days of the flat season and you can make the most of it by signing up for a bookmaker account and taking advantage of some free bets. With eight races to look forward to, including the July Cup and Bunbury Cup Handicap, there is no better time to get involved. Check out our free bets page now.

Read More:

• ITV Racing Tips for the Newmarket July meeting