Racing:Starspangledbanner will face 13 rivals as he bids to follow up his Golden Jubilee victory in the Darley July Cup on Friday. The former Australian sprinter lived up to his lofty reputation when blasting away from his rivals at Royal Ascot.
Plenty of those who finished behind Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old are prepared to have another crack — not least James Fanshawe’s runner-up Society Rock and American challenger Kinsale King, the mount of Kieren Fallon, who finished third.
Fleeting Spirit (fourth), Balthazaar’s Gift (seventh), Varenar (eighth), Prime Defender (ninth), Serious Attitude (10th), Marchand D’Or (11th) and Australian raider Alverta (14th) all have ground to make up.
Another Australian still over here is David Hayes’ Nicconi, well fancied for the King’s Stand at Ascot in which he finished fourth. Top Australian jockey Damien Oliver takes over in the saddle from Frankie Dettori, with the Italian on Fleeting Spirit.
King’s Stand winner Equiano, in great heart this year over five furlongs, steps back up to six.
Michael Stoute will be looking for a better run from the inconsistent Kingsgate Native, while Showcasing, well fancied for the Golden Jubilee, in which he finished last, will have the aid of first-time blinkers.