July Cup triumph for Starman

Ed Walker's Starman blasted home for Group One glory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. The Duke of York stakes winner came into the race as a real contender and was able to fend off all challengers in the 19-strong field. 

He had a fair amount of ground to make up with a furlong to go but jockey Tom Marquand managed to find that extra gear to steer him home to victory. The four-year-old finished ahead of pre-race favourite Dragon Symbol and last year's champion Oxted. 

"My god he had a turn of foot when he hit that rising ground," beamed Marquand after the race. 

Hannon eyeing Newmarket return for Ardbraccan

Trainer Richard Hannon is planning a run in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket next month for Ardbraccan after securing a maiden victory at the same track on Saturday. 

It was a case of third time lucky for the two-year-old who finished eighth from nine on her racecourse debut at Kempton before being pipped by Inspiral at Newmarket last month. 

In her third race, she had to fend off a challenge from the favourite Calm Skies, who had made a late charge, to secure the win. Now, Hannon is planning further ahead with another Newmarket meeting on the cards. 

"She ran very well last time and got beaten and it looked like the Godolphin filly (Calm Skies) got to her very easily there today," said Hannon. "I thought we'd bumped into a good one. 

"I'm very tempted to bring her back for the Sweet Solera (August 7) now. She's got a lot of class and she doesn't want too much (racing) this year as she'll be a nice filly next year." 

Native Trail gives Appleby another Superlative Stakes win

Charlie Appleby has won the bet365 Superlative Stakes for a second consecutive year after Native Trail galloped home to win his second race. In just his second-ever start, the two-year-old held on to win the seven-furlong contest by a short head in front of the fast-finishing Masekela with pre-race favourite Dhabab behind in third. 

Last year, Appleby saw Master Of The Seas win the juvenile Group Two contest and he subsequently finished second in the 2000 Guineas. 

Appleby admitted he didn't expect the win but knew his youngster was capable of producing. 

He said: "He's a lovely horse to ride through a race as he goes through his gears smoothly. He showed that on his first start at Sandown and we saw the same today. 

"I wouldn't say I was confident we'd be winning, but the way the race was developing, I knew he'd be doing it all the right way round and would be hitting the line strong." 

Hurricane Lane set for French run

Hurricane Lane will bid to double his Group One tally after being supplemented in the upcoming Grand Prix de Paris on Wednesday. 

The Frankel colt has won four of his last five races, with wins at Newmarket, Newbury, and York followed by victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at Curragh last month, sneaking ahead of Lone Eagle. 

The three-year-old is now being readied for a run in the ParisLongchamp feature on Bastille Day and trainer Charlie Appleby is confident he can make his mark. 

"He worked this morning and William (Buick) was very happy with him," he said. "The Grand Prix de Paris is his last chance to run in a Group One over a mile and a half against three-year-olds so we thought we'd take the opportunity. 

"Hopefully he'll go there as the one to beat and if we can bag another Group One en route to the St Leger that would be great."