Horse Racing Editor•15+ Years of Experience, Horse Racing Analyst & Tipster
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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The July Cup at Newmarket. (Getty)
The final day of racing at the July Meeting is headlined by one of the most important sprint races staged in Britain, the July Cup. This Group One was first staged back in 1876 and has been won by sprinting royalty like Ormonde, Sundridge, Abernant, Right Boy and Moorestyle.
Following her sparkling victory in the Sandy Lane Stakes, Venetian Sun earned a hard-fought victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Karl Burke's filly won at the July Festival 12 months ago, and three-year-old can claim nine pounds from their elders in this Group One sprint.
Almeraq took down Satono Reve and Joliestar to win the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for William Haggas. Mission Control scored in the King Charles III Stakes on day one of the Royal meeting, and all three Ascot winners could meet for the first time on Saturday.
Noriyuki Hori has handed an entry to Satono Reve, who has placed on both previous starts in England. Division ran on well to finish third behind Venetian Sun in the Commonwealth Cup. Oisin Murphy will ride Double Rush, who steps up to Group One company following his victory in the Wokingham.
Last year's runner-up, Big Mojo has been entered by Mick Appleby. Billy Loughnane will ride Comanche Brave for Donnacha O'Brien. Clive Cox's Coppull will represent the three-year-old crop, despite an underwhelming effort behind Venetian Sun at Royal Ascot.
Just 11 sprinters have been confirmed in Saturday's final field. The reliable Quinault will represent Stuart Williams, with Marco Botti's course winner, Prince Of India, rounding off both the field and the betting.
2026 July Cup Tips
Eight of the last ten winners of the July Cup were drawn in stall nine or higher. With just 11 runners in this year's field, that trend might not be as significant, but I still think a low draw could prove detrimental for the likes of Division and Big Mojo.
Most winners in the past decade have come down the centre of the track, which is good news for supporters of Venetian Sun and Satono Reve, who were drawn in stalls nine and eight respectively. Both are too short for me in a high-profile sprint, where I prefer to chance an outsider, and the one who piques my interest at a big price is COPPULL (33/1).
Rossa Ryan riding Coppull (red) win The Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes at Asco. (Getty)
Clive Cox's star won the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last season and wasn't beaten far when third in the Middle Park Stakes. Coppull toughed it out to land the Commonwealth Cup Trial on his seasonal reappearance, and was sent off at a single-figure price for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Rossa Ryan's mount broke well, but instead of tracking Venetian Sun, who was drawn immediately to his inside, Coppull was switched across to the smaller group on the stands' side. With two furlongs to travel, it was abundantly clear that the central group held a decisive advantage. To his credit, Coppull won his race on the stands' side, but still crossed the line some six lengths behind Venetian Sun.
Coppull is a strong stayer over this trip and will receive a handy weight-for-age allowance. He loves fast ground, has already won on similarly demanding tracks such as Leicester and Goodwood, and is tactically versatile.
Saffie Osborne takes the ride on Coppull on Saturday and should have plenty of options from stall six. Coppull boasts plenty of solid form, and Clive Cox knows exactly what it takes to win the July Cup, having saddled the winner in 2013 and 2017.
Live Stream
Visit our July Cup Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Saturday's races at Newmarket via a mobile or tablet.
Jon Vine
Horse Racing Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, Horse Racing Analyst & Tipster
Jon has been a sports writer and tipster for over ten years. Over the last six years, he has become completely immersed in all things horse racing. Every race is a puzzle that he is eager to solve.
Favourite races over jumps would include the Brown Advisory Chase (RSA) at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. On the flat, the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the race that excites most each season.
Favourite horses of all time include Vautour, Laurens, Road To Respect, Topofthegame, Saint Calvados and Elegant Escape.
