/ Timeform / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Delegator heads the market for the July Cup
"Delegator has a chance here to prove himself the leading sprinter he's always promised to be, but at around twice the price Star Witness is taken to gain compensation for his narrow defeats at Royal Ascot."
Timeform go through the runners for this Group 1 sprint...
Amico Fritz is a French-trained horse who won a Group 3 in Germany in April and then fared best of those that raced on the stand side when beaten only three lengths in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He needs a career best by a long way to figure here.
Bated Breath made excellent progress in 2010 and has been better still this year, winning cosily and Haydock and Windsor. His latest fifth in the Golden Jubilee can be improved upon back on quicker ground.
Dalghar made up into a really smart six- and seven-furlong performer for Alain de Royer-Dupre last year, when second in the Diadem at Ascot. He is yet to hit top form this year and finished behind some of these in the Golden Jubilee.
Delegator was a high-class three-year-old who finished second in the 2000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes. He got back on track dropped to six furlongs when winning the Duke of York Stakes on his reappearance and is a must for the shortlist.
Genki is a smart hold-up sprinter who was third in the Group 1 Sprint Cup last season and has returned with wins this year in a listed race at Newmarket and a Group 3 at Newcastle. He is likely to come up just short again at this level, though.
Jimmy Styles made a smooth transition from top-end handicaps to listed company late in 2010 and put up a career best in May when winning a Group 3 in Ireland. He is better than he was able to show in the Golden Jubilee last time, when drawn on the wrong side.
Jimmy Styles won the Ayr Gold Cup in 2009, and though he struggled last year, showed he's not a spent force when winning a listed race at Doncaster in April. He had a stiff task in the Golden Jubilee last time and it's a similar story here.
Monsieur Chevalier was a smart two-year-old but missed 2010. He showed he's lost none of his ability this year when second in the Golden Jubilee last time, and should be in the mix again over a trip that looks his optimum.
Regal Parade is a dual Group 1 winner who hasn't quite peaked this term and was behind Genki at Newcastle last time when sent off at odds on, despite having conditions to suit. He has something to prove as a result.
Star Witness is a Group 1 winner in Australia and has returned to form since arriving in Britain, being placed in both the King's Stand and the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot. He shaped best on soft ground in the latter and there's a good chance he'll come out on top this time.
War Artist is a globetrotting sprinter who looked better than ever when taking a handicap off a mark of 115 at Meydan in February. He got outpaced before staying on late in the King's Stand last time and is a lively outside back at his best trip.
Winker Watson was a smart juvenile back in 2007, but has failed to attain those heights since. He returned from a spell at stud to finish sixth to Genki at Newcastle and should be sharper for that, but this is still a very big ask.
Swiss Diva won a listed race and two Groups 3ds in France last year. She was well held in the King's Stand on her first run for eight months and needs to get right back to her best to feature here.
Dream Ahead was a high-class two-year-old who was most impressive when winning the Group 1 Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes over this trip. He has since been disappointing behind Frankel in the Dewhurst and the St James's Palace and has some questions to answer now.
Elzaam was just collared in the Coventry as a two-year-old and the return to six furlongs had a positive effect when routing his rivals in a listed race at Newbury in May. His latest fourth in the Golden Jubilee was no bad effort all things considered.
Libranno is a free-going front runner who won a pair of Group 2 events over six furlongs last year, including the July Stakes over course and distance. He got back to those heights when landing the seven-furlong Criterion Stakes here last month, but this looks a step too far.
Oracle took five goes to break his duck in maidens but his form has taken off this year, the highlight being his third in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He ran creditably in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes last time, but the further step back in trip isn't sure to suit.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Star Witness
2. Delegator
3. War Artist
Timeform View: Delegator has a chance here to prove himself the leading sprinter he's always promised to be, but at around twice the price Star Witness is taken to gain compensation for his narrow defeats at Royal Ascot. War Artist rates a lively outsider back at six furlongs.
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