July Cup 2026
The July Cup is one of the most prestigious six-furlong contests of the season and brings together a high-class field of established sprinters and progressive three-year-olds.
This year’s leading contenders include Almeraq, Big Mojo, Comanche Brave, Double Rush, Satono Reve, Mission Central, Venetian Sun, Division, Quinault, Coppull and Prince Of India.
From a trends perspective, Almeraq is the standout after achieving a perfect 15/15 match. Comanche Brave, Mission Central, Big Mojo and Venetian Sun all score an excellent 14/15.
Key July Cup Trends
- Last-Win Topspeed: 20/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 85 on their most recent victory.
- Non-Handicap Experience: 20/20 winners had contested between five and 18 non-handicap races.
- Last-Win RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of at least 112 on their most recent victory.
- Distance Experience: 20/20 winners had contested between two and 15 races over the trip.
- Last-Time-Out Speed: 20/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 68 last time out.
- Last-Win Class: 20/20 winners’ latest success did not come in Class 2-5 company.
- Recent RPR: 20/20 winners achieved an RPR of at least 110 within their last three starts.
- Non-Handicap Placings: 20/20 winners had recorded between three and 13 placings in non-handicap races.
- Non-Handicap Topspeed: 20/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 94 in non-handicap company.
- Last-Time-Out Weight: 20/20 winners carried between 126 and 134lbs last time out.
- Recent Form: 19/20 winners had placed within their previous three starts.
- Career RPR: 18/20 winners achieved a career RPR of at least 117.
- Distance Topspeed: 18/20 winners achieved a Topspeed figure of at least 97 over six furlongs.
- Starting Price: 17/20 winners were no bigger than 12/1.
- Distance RPR: 17/20 winners achieved an RPR of at least 116 over the trip.
The strongest trends horse is Almeraq on a perfect 15/15. Comanche Brave, Mission Central, Big Mojo and Venetian Sun are all close behind on 14/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends | Rating | RPR/TS | Profile | Speed | Trainer/Jockey | Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almeraq | 15/15 | 429 | 125 / 104 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Perfect trends score, strong 125 RPR, four wins from seven at six furlongs and remains open to further improvement. | Topspeed figure is below the strongest speed horses and Tom Marquand has been relatively quiet recently. | Main Selection |
| Mission Central | 14/15 | 418 | 128 / 114 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Joint-best RPR, highest Topspeed among the leading three-year-olds, unbeaten over six furlongs and partnered by Ryan Moore. | Faces older Group 1 sprinters and has no previous Newmarket experience. | Main Danger |
| Venetian Sun | 14/15 | 407 | 126 / 109 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Outstanding five-from-five six-furlong record, course-and-distance winner and receives weight from the older horses. | Clifford Lee is not in peak recent form and this is her toughest assignment. | Each-Way Chance |
| Satono Reve | 12/15 | 401 | 128 / 113 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Joint-best RPR, elite going and distance record and proven international Group 1 class. | Trends score is weaker than the leading shortlist and the trainer has no recent UK form. | Class Threat |
| Big Mojo | 14/15 | 394 | 127 / 115 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Highest Topspeed figure in the field, excellent trends match and William Buick is in outstanding form. | Recent finishing positions have been inconsistent and he was below his best last time out. | Speed Danger |
| Comanche Brave | 14/15 | 387 | 123 / 108 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Excellent trends profile, reliable 123 RPR and a solid two-from-five record over six furlongs. | Trainer form is only moderate and he must reverse form with stronger-rated rivals. | Place Claims |
| Division | 10/15 | 379 | 122 / 100 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Strong RPR, consistent six-furlong record and represents the powerful William Haggas yard. | Trends score is weaker and he is yet to win on the going. | Needs Improvement |
| Double Rush | 10/15 | 372 | 123 / 106 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Progressive profile, five wins from 11 over the trip and strong recent form. | Trends score is below the leading contenders and he must improve again at Group 1 level. | Progressive Outsider |
| Quinault | 6/15 | 365 | 121 / 113 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Excellent course-and-distance record, strong 113 Topspeed and proven six-furlong consistency. | Very weak trends score and was disappointing last time out. | Course Specialist |
| Coppull | 9/15 | 356 | 114 / 107 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Receives weight, has solid sprint form and represents an in-form Clive Cox yard. | RPR is below the required level of the principal Group 1 contenders. | Needs More |
| Prince Of India | 7/15 | 341 | 115 / 100 | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Course-and-distance winner with a strong going record. | Weak trends score, lower ratings and needs to bounce back from recent defeats. | Oppose |
Key: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★☆ strong, ★★★☆☆ fair, ★★☆☆☆ below ideal, ★☆☆☆☆ concern.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The July Cup filter narrowly points towards Almeraq. He is the only runner to achieve a perfect 15/15 trends score and combines that profile with a strong RPR of 125, four wins from seven attempts over six furlongs and the scope to improve again.
Mission Central is the strongest danger. He owns a joint-best RPR of 128, an excellent Topspeed figure of 114, is unbeaten in three starts over six furlongs and has Ryan Moore booked.
Venetian Sun has an outstanding course-and-distance profile. She is unbeaten in five starts over six furlongs, has already won at Newmarket and receives valuable weight from the older horses.
Satono Reve and Big Mojo are the major ratings threats. Satono Reve brings elite international form, while Big Mojo owns the highest Topspeed figure in the field.
July Cup 2026 Tips
1. Almeraq 11/2
Almeraq is the Turf Talk selection after achieving a perfect 15/15 trends score.
He combines a strong RPR of 125 with four wins from seven attempts over six furlongs and still appears open to further improvement.
2. Mission Central 13/2
Mission Central is the main danger.
He owns a joint-best RPR of 128, an excellent Topspeed figure of 114, is unbeaten over six furlongs and has Ryan Moore booked.
3. Venetian Sun 4/1
Venetian Sun completes the top three.
She is unbeaten in five starts over six furlongs, is already a course-and-distance winner and receives weight from the older horses.
Turf Talk Verdict
Almeraq gets the vote in the July Cup. His perfect trends profile, strong RPR and progressive six-furlong record make him the most balanced contender. Mission Central is the clear danger on raw ratings and speed, while Venetian Sun is the strongest each-way option.
Final Selection
Almeraq
1st: Almeraq 11/2
2nd: Mission Central 13/2
3rd: Venetian Sun 4/1
Outsider to watch: Big Mojo 9/1
