Shea Shea heads the market as 15 remain in Darley July Cup

Pearl Secret was the only significant absentee from the declarations for Saturday’s six-furlong Darley July Cup at Newmarket. The race contains the winners of races at the recent Royal Ascot meeting over five, six and seven furlongs in Sole Power, Lethal Force and Gale Force Ten.

South African-trained Shea Shea heads the ante-post market despite being beaten by Sole Power in the King’s Stand Stakes. Reckless Abandon (fifth) and Australian raider Shamexpress (ninth) will also be seeking to reverse the Ascot form.

Trainer Mike de Kock is optimistic that the extra furlong will enable Shea Shea to get the better of Sole Power, a rival he had beaten comfortably at Meydan in the spring.

Reckless Abandon is also expected to improve for the extra furlong and he is joined by stable companion Lethal Force who won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes over this trip. Society Rock had to settle for the runner-up spot that day having beaten Lethal Force at York previously.

Sole Power could be joined by his stable companion Slade Power in the final line up. The latter was unlucky in the Diamond Jubilee having missed the break but made amends in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month.

As well as the South African and Australian raiders, the American Havelock and Bahrain’s Krypton Factor have been declared. Aidan O’Brien’s leading hope is Gale Force Ten, a game winner of the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes. He could be joined by Reply.

Michael Bell has left Sovereign Debt in the field after the grey disappointed in the Queen Anne Stakes over a mile. He had previously run the best race of his career when second to Farhh in the Lockinge with subsequent Ascot winner and Eclipse runner-up Declaration Of War behind him.

Hamza, Soul and Zanetto complete the fifteen declared runners with the race due off at 3.50 on Saturday.