Al Aasy to headline Newmarket opener 

Al Aasy will be the star attraction on the opening day of the July Festival at Newmarket on Thursday, with the William Haggas-colt set to take on four rivals in the Princess of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes. 

The four-year-old was last seen finishing second only to Pyledriver in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last month and he will now drop back down to Group Two level under the guide of regular jockey Jim Crowley. 

Among Al Aasy's rivals on Thursday will be Jockey Club Stakes winner Sir Ron Priestley, who will be hoping to produce a much-improved showing than the seventh-place finish he achieved in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out. 

Bangkok, Highest Ground and Star Safari will complete the field, with the race set to take place at 15:35 on Thursday. 

Smart has high hopes for Project Dante 

Thursday's other Group Two offering from Newmarket will be the July Stakes, where Project Dante is expected to be one of the leading contenders. 

The exciting two-year-old won on debut at York in May before following that success up with a respectable third-place finish in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, despite running into trouble during that race. 

Trainer Bryan Smart is certainly hopeful Project Dante can go even better in the July Stakes and he has confirmed the son of Showcasing is in prime condition for the race. 

"When you go to Royal Ascot with a fighting chance you've got to be delighted," Smart told Sky Sports Racing. 

"He did a nice piece of work on Friday and he's had a nice little blow this morning. Graham Lee rode him and was delighted, saying he feels as good as ever, if not better than he did before Royal Ascot." 

Oxted among 23 confirmed for July Cup 

Defending champion Oxted is one of 23 confirmations for Saturday's July Cup at Newmarket. Roger Teal's five-year-old was something of an unknown quantity when he arrived at the race 12 months ago, but he proved an impressive winner before going on to add the King's Stand Stakes to his list of honours at Royal Ascot in June. 

Starman is one of the other leading contenders that have been left in for Saturday's Group One feature, with the Ed Walker-trained four-year-old having got the better of Oxted when winning the Duke of York Stakes in May. 

Dragon Symbol is also in line to feature for the first time since being controversially stripped of his victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month. 

Archie Watson's colt had been first past the post in that race, but he was adjudged to have caused interference with nearest rival Campanelle, leading to the stewards reversing the placings.

Benbatl closing in on return 

Benbatl could make his return to competitive action next month, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who is also considering running the three-time Group One winner in the Dubai World Cup. 

The six-year-old is back in Godolphin's stables after being handed an extended break, with his last appearance having come in the Group Two Joel Stakes at Newmarket last September, a race where he finished third behind Kameko. 

Bin Suroor has now confirmed Benbatl is getting back up to speed and could make his return to competitive action as early as next month, ahead of a potential lucrative run in Dubai. 

"Benbatl has had a nice break but is now back in full training and he's done some easy exercise on our private gallop at Chippenham recently," Bin Suroor told the Racing Post. 

"Hopefully we can get him back on the Limekilns in the coming weeks and he could be ready to start back sometime next month. 

"He spent last winter in Newmarket but the plan may be to take him back to Dubai this winter depending on how he performs here first. Races like the Dubai World Cup could be considered."