Walker has a Star in the making as he bids for Cup glory
Side with (Newmarket, 4.25) to sprinkle some stardust on today’s darley July Cup Stakes. There are any number of the 19 runners which boast compelling claims but there is every chance we have not yet seen the best of the selection, given this will be just his sixth career start. Although there was a bump in the road on horrible ground at Ascot last October, Starman’s other four appearances have screamed quality, not least his comeback effort in the duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York. The ed Walker-trained colt had subsequent King’s Stand Stakes winner Oxted well adrift as he sauntered to the lead and held enough in reserve to withstand the late challenge of Nahaarr. Jockey Oisin Murphy felt there was plenty left in the tank that day and that his mount was only just doing enough when he hit the front, so there could be plenty more to come. There is an adage that form at York does not travel particularly well and that is an issue Starman needs to put to bed because his two trips to the Knavesmire have produced stratospheric performances. it is hardly Starman’s fault that he has not encountered the July Course and there is nothing to suggest a horse blessed with a huge amount of pace will not handle today’s venue. The ground is more important to the four-year-old’s chance. He swerved Ascot because of deteriorating conditions and connections felt he got away with the ground at York on his comeback which was on the easy side. There are plenty of dangers, not least last year’s winner Oxted who arrives on a high courtesy of his authoritative Ascot success, while dragon Symbol and Rohaan are three-year-olds going places. However, Starman is taken to register a first Group One win. There is also terrific action at York and Ascot today, with the John Smith’s Cup another feature which might take some unravelling. Although he only beat one home at Ascot in the Royal
Hunt Cup, there could be better to come from LUCANDER (York, nap, 4.05) now he returns to one of his favoured venues. Unbeaten in two starts on the Knavesmire, Ralph Beckett’s four-year-old should love the underfoot conditions in contrast to the fast ground he encountered at Ascot, while a step back up to ten furlongs should also see Lucander returned to his comfort zone. At his morning odds, he looks a sporting nap to provide jockey Laura Pearson with a high-profile winner. ed Bethell is enjoying a terrific first season since taking over from his father and the Middleham handler could register a second Listed success of the campaign courtesy of MOSS GILL (York, nb, 4.40) in the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes. The selection boasts a strong course record and looks to have pace either side of him so should be on the scene again.