Newmarket preview: July Cup (15.45)

Brazen Beau ran a stormer when runner-up last time out, and can go one better to become the first Australian-trained horse to win the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket (15.45).

The Chris Waller trained colt and has won five of his 11 starts, including two Group 1 contests.

Brazen Beau has a high cruising speed and potent turn of foot, and on his penultimate outing landed the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington which is one of the best sprint contests in Australia.

The four-year-old also ran a blinder when last seen in action in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot when a 1/2 length runner-up to Undrafted when arguably an unlucky loser.

Jockey Craig Williams made the decision to race alone on the stand side, and Brazen Beau looked all over the winner when going a length up inside the final furlong before getting collared near the line.

It was an effort which suggested Brazen Beau may well have have won had he raced with the main group, and the son of I Am Invincible lost little in defeat.

To me Brazen Beau was the best horse in the race and, having since been purchased by Godolphin, he now gets the services of in-form jockey James Doyle in the saddle and can get back to winning ways.

Muhaarar is a rapidly improving three-year-old trained by Charlie Hills, and looks the obvious danger in a mouthwatering contest.

The colt has won four of his eight starts and put in a stunning performance in the last of those when storming to a 3 1/2 length success in the inaugural running of the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.