Oisin Murphy: Major Threat in Darley July Cup on big weekend at Newmarket

Threat should love the drop in trip

The good races just keep on coming and I can’t wait to get back on Threat in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

It’s a race that has traditionally been a happy place for horses that have tried a mile dropping back in trip, like Dream Ahead back in 2011 who won this on the back of a fifth-placed finish in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Threat will be trying to emulate him having finished in the same spot in the same race last time out and he certainly felt like a sprinter that day. He was a touch keen early on but he travelled well and then found little when I asked him for his effort.

So he has the profile. He clearly didn’t stay at Ascot, he’s not ground dependent and he has a nice draw in four, particularly with the favourite Golden Horde in six. Hopefully I’ll get a nice tow into the race and he runs a big one, I can’t see any reason why he won’t.

He was a very good winner of the Gimcrack last year and he’s a very straightforward horse.

The opposition is strong and it looks an up to standard renewal. Golden Horde was very impressive at Royal Ascot, Sceptical was only just run out of it by Hello Youmzain, who was a game winner, in the Diamond Jubilee and Khaadem hasn’t quite delivered as yet but has promise.

But my horse has untapped potential at this trip. He has the 6lb weight-for-age allowance and we know from his juvenile days that he has a touch of class. He wasn’t beaten far by Golden Horde in the Richmond and hopefully he can put it up to him again.

Other Saturday Rides

Medal Winner – 12.10 Newmarket

He doesn’t want the ground too soft. He ran well at Ascot considering how slow it was and I’d imagine he’ll be one of the favourites after bolting up the time before. I respect Yuri Gagarin, John Gosden does well with this type of horse and Sea The Moon is a very good sire.

Stunning Beauty – 1.15 Newmarket

I’ve not sat on her but I’ve heard she’s been going nicely at home. Most of Saeed’s improve for a run so we’ll see where she is, she’s not the only one in this race with a fancy pedigree, so it looks a hot maiden and we’ll learn plenty.

Bright Devil – 3.00 Newmarket

He’s been training really well since Royal Ascot. He’s obviously a tall horse and still a touch weak, but I really like him and I think you can write off that Ascot run. He’s much better than that. Hopefully he can get out and use his stride as he’s going to stay well, his dam stayed 1m6f. This is a good race on paper as you would expect but this is a serious horse and he shouldn’t be underestimated.

Sir Busker – 4.10 Newmarket

He’s not ground dependent and won really well at Ascot. He’s your typical hold-up horse and if they go hard enough he’ll be able to pick them off. There’s no doubt he’s an improving horse, the worry is that Newmarket is not the ideal track to pull off his preferred tactics, even in the Bunbury Cup.

Darain not ready for big step up yet

It was nice to win both divisions of the 1m2f maiden at Newbury on Wednesday night as I wouldn’t have always been in the position to ride that sort of quality.

I was really pleased with Darain, he behaved well. He’s a big, strong colt and the race was pretty straightforward; I went forward, we went slow, we quickened all the way up the straight and he galloped nicely to the line.

Everyone wants to know about him as he was such an expensive yearling (3.5million guineas) and he’s from such a talented family (he’s a full brother to Too Darn Hot), but I’d say it will be baby steps with him.

He’ll probably run in another novice to give him more experience next time out. Fingers crossed he stays in one piece as he did nothing wrong and looks a really nice prospect.

Lir to Jet over for Papin

I might have a sit on The Lir Jet on Saturday as things tick over ahead of a trip to France.

The plan is to go to Chantilly for the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin on Sunday July 19. It looks a good stepping stone for a Group 1 as he won’t have to carry a penalty and he’s apparently fresh and well and ready to run.

He was brilliant in the Norfolk. I can’t wait to get on him again.

Friday rides

Arthurian Fable – 12.10 Newmarket

He likes to go forward and use himself. It’s a competitive race and Group One Power is a bit of an enigma, as you wouldn’t believe he’s only rated 82 on his homework. But my horse has run well both times out this season and if he can bowl along up front he might be tough to pass.

Breathless Times – 12.45 Newmarket

He’s another that likes to go forward and use himself and it’s with hope that he’s come on for his reappearance run.

Youth Spirit – 1.15 Newmarket

I like him. I sat on him on Saturday and he didn’t do much wrong at Haydock on debut when Rob Hornby rode him. He’s a nice horse and you’d imagine he’ll get further in time, he’s very strong physically, strong through his body, and I wouldn’t think these conditions at this time of year will be any bother to him.

Glenn Coco – 1.50 Newmarket

Stuart Williams has placed him well throughout his career and he’s been in pretty good form on the all-weather, so hopefully he can run well in a tough race.

Time Scale – 2.25 Newmarket

Time Scale won’t mind any dig in the ground in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes. She’s done very well since her last win and though this is a big step up she deserves to be up there in the betting along with Dandalla. More Beautiful has a big reputation and was obviously a bit disappointing at Ascot, but she was interfered with coming out of the stalls. It’s clearly a good race but Time Scale is a nice filly.

Shailene – 3.00 Newmarket

She worked really well on Saturday. She’s in good shape and I have only one slight concern with her and that’s that she needs to drop the bit and relax, she doesn’t always do that. But on her homework she’s a massive price at 20/1. She beats quick horses on the gallops but the key to her is dropping the bit and relaxing early on.

Enemy – 3.35 Newmarket

Enemy wouldn’t want any more rain, he’s definitely a top of the ground horse. I think he’s well treated off 89 and I don’t think the trip will be a problem, but the ground might be.

More from Oisin Murphy

• Column 15: Highest ambition
• Column 14: D-Day for Kameko
• Column 13: Awesome chance
• Royal Ascot: Day five rides
• Royal Ascot: Day four rides
• Royal Ascot: Day three rides
• Royal Ascot: Day two rides
• Royal Ascot: Day one rides
• Column Seven: Kameko all class
• Column Six: A Classic weekend
• Column Five: Racing resumption
• Column Four: Sticky situations
• Column Three: Oisin Murphy's favourite horses
• Column Two: Oisin Murphy's 2020 vision
• Column One: Getting to know Oisin Murphy

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