All systems go for Oxted

Last year's winner Oxted is "as good as ever" as he prepares for his July Cup defence on Saturday.

That is the view of Harry Teal, son of trainer Roger, with connections hoping for more of the same after winning last month's King's Stand Stakes.

Oxted's Royal Ascot win completed his turnaround after February's disappointing trip to Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

Placings at Newmarket and York suggested a recovery and he returns to HQ on the back of his brilliant victory at the Royal Meeting.

All looks well heading into the weekend, with Teal Jr confident the five-year-old will be ready to go again as he aims to become the first horse since Right Boy in 1958 and 1959 to successfully defend the July Cup.

Teal told Sky Sports Racing: "He's in great form. He did his last little bit of work yesterday and felt as good as ever."

Double trouble for Watson

Archie Watson admits he is finding it tough to pick a favourite between star pair Dragon Symbol and Glen Shiel ahead of Saturday's July Cup.

The pair head to Newmarket on the back of their respective second-place finishes at Royal Ascot, although those results came in differing circumstances.

Dragon Symbol looked to have won the Commonwealth Cup, only to be controversially demoted behind Campanelle. Meanwhile, experienced stablemate Glen Shiel returned to form to finish a close runner-up in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Both are live claims for victory on Saturday at HQ, and Watson concedes that either could take out the Group One.

"I think we know where we are at with Glen Shiel, because he can win these Group Ones, and he is consistent at his level, which is more than enough to win a July Cup under the right circumstances," said Lambourn trainer Watson, looking forward to Saturday's Group One showpiece at Newmarket.

"I would say with Dragon Symbol; we don't really know where his peak is yet. I'd say they ran similar races on the figures at Ascot, and it wouldn't surprise me to see either horse finish in front of the other because they are both high-class sprinters."

Falmouth Stakes field confirmed

Wednesday saw 13 fillies remain in the field for Friday's Falmouth Stakes, although Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Empress Josephine was withdrawn at the declaration stage.

Aidan O'Brien's three-year-old was one of four contenders taken out at the 48 hours cut off alongside No Speak Alexander, Parent's Prayer and Fooraat.

Alcohol Free, winner of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, remains, as does O'Brien's 1,000 Guineas hero Mother Earth, who will be partnered by Ryan Moore.

Frankie Dettori switches from Mother Earth to Indie Angel for John and Thady Gosden, while Andrea Atzeni partners the Ed Walker-trained Primo Bacio.

Newbury makes Sky switch

Finally, Newbury announced on Wednesday that it has signed a five-year deal with Sky Sports Racing, a move that will see all its 29 annual meetings shown on the channel from 2024.

It means Sky Sports Racing adds the likes of the Lockinge Stakes, Winter Carnival and Challow Hurdle to its already impressive Flat and Jumps racing catalogue.

Newbury's media rights will be transferred to The Racing Partnership on April 1, 2023, with their meetings set to be broadcast on Sky Sports Racing from New Year's Day the following year.

Julian Thick, chief executive of the course, is confident the deal will be a huge success, adding: "We believe the new agreement secures a positive and exciting future for Newbury Racecourse and its shareholders and fits with our long-term values and aspirations for the business."