'Banner up against an international set

N EWS ROUND-UP:STARSPANGLEDBANNER WILL have to defeat an international field in tomorrow's Darley July Cup at Newmarket if he is to pull off a Group One double for Aidan O'Brien.

Fourteen horses were declared at yesterday’s final stage with runners from France, Australia and the US set to line up against the home team and O’Brien’s impressive Golden Jubilee winner.

Transferred from Australia earlier in the year after being bought by the Coolmore syndicate, Starspangledbanner blitzed the field in Royal Ascot’s Golden Jubilee Stakes, but that hasn’t stopped many of them turning up for another crack at the likely favourite.

Runner-up Society Rock and the American sprinter Kinsale King take part tomorrow, as does the 2009 July Cup winner Fleeting Shadow, who was fourth at Ascot last month.

Top Australian jockey Damien Oliver has flown from Down Under to partner Nicconi, whose compatriot Alverta will also take part.

And the 2008 winner Marchand D’Or is back for another crack at the six-furlong feature along with the other French hope, Varenar.

Starspangledbanner was a general 6 to 4 favourite yesterday and will break from stall 11 alongside the speedy King Stand winner Equiano in box 10.

O’Brien will also be represented in tomorrow’s Group Two Superlative Stakes by Emperor Hadrian, who will attempt revenge on Formosina, who thwarted the Ballydoyle hope Samuel Morse in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Derby day.

This evening's mile-and-a-half maiden at Leopardstown is hardly in that sort of class, but it could provide Simkanawith an ultra-valuable winning bracket.

John Oxx’s runner is a half-sister to the dual-Derby and Arc hero Sinndar, and the step up to 12 furlongs should suit a filly who was a beaten odds-on favourite last at Fairyhouse when runner-up to Zeraska.

Oxx and jockey Fran Berry could also go close in the preceding mile-and-six handicap with Kaladena, who disappointed on her handicap debut at the Curragh considering she put seven lengths between herself and Scottish Reel in a maiden win at Navan. Stamina looks to be her strong-suit.

Bob Le Beauonly just got up to spring a mild surprise at the Curragh over the Derby festival, after which Jessica Harrington indicated he would most likely be upped in trip.

It looks significant then that Bob Le Beau remains at a mile- and-a-quarter tonight and he can get the better of Oxx’s Celendine.

Napa Starr’s frustrating career over hurdles continued at Listowel with an early fall, but he is back on the level in tonight’s mile handicap where Solid Air might prove hard to beat.

David Wachman should know where he stands with both Atyaab and Smart Striking in the opening maiden, and that makes Paraphernaliaone to check out.

The Tipperary trainer may also strike in the nine-furlong maiden with Echoes Of History.