Arod faces superb group of sprinters in July Cup

Arod, brilliant at a mile, takes on the best of Europe's sprinters today when lining up in the Darley July Cup (16.35).

It is a race packed with interest, and Qatar Racing's Arod, the mount of Oisin Murphy, adds to that sense of intrigue by dropping back in trip fourth in the Derby two years ago, second in last year's Gr.1 Qatar Sussex Stakes over a mile, and three times a winner over a mile or ten furlongs since his Epsom Classic run, Arod will need to find an extra gear to be competitive in this race, but firm ground, rather than the trip, is the priority for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam. ‚"He goes there a fresh horse and should have the gears if the rain stays away,‚" the trainer told Racing Post.

Other key contenders for today's race include a host of Group One Royal Ascot winners and placed horses, including Profitable, who won the King's Stand Stakes, Quiet Reflection, who landed the Commonwealth Cup, and Twilight Son, successful in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Magical Memory was only half a length behind Twilight Son in that race, while Cotai Glory was a quarter of a length second to Profitable, and Washington DC was third to Quiet Reflection. Limato and Danzeno are among runners who have been placed in Group One sprints, while Air Force Blue shares the Arod route in dropping back to a mile in a bid to prove his worth at six furlongs.

Arod is Qatar Racing's sole runner at Newmarket today, after South Seas was withdrawn from the Gr.2 Superlative Stakes.

Also looking for a Stakes race win today is Stroll Patrol, who runs in Chester's Listed City Plate (15.05). Trainer Ralph Beckett did not want the overnight rain that fell, but is happy enough with the draw in stall five. Graham Lee rides.