'She's on track to be up there with the best I've had' - Michael Dods on weather watch for leading July Cup fancy
Michael Dods is eager to run Azure Blue at Group 1 level for the first time in Saturday's Pertemps Network July Cup (4.35), providing ground conditions are deemed suitable.
Azure Blue, an impressive winner of the Duke of York Stakes under regular rider Paul Mulrennan in May, is the only leading July Cup contender not to have run at Royal Ascot and Dods is waiting on the weather before committing his star filly to her long-held target.
A general 7-2 third favourite for the £600,000 contest, Azure Blue has raced on ground no quicker than good since winning a fillies' handicap at the July course on good to firm nearly a year ago.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inNewmarket July festival
Last updated
Copy- 'It's nothing to do with money, we want to win' - Charlie Appleby reaffirms support of British racing as Godolphin stir into life
- Newmarket: Buick blooms on the July course as Desert Flower strikes on debut to set up champion jockey's four-timer
- July Cup: 'It's extra special' - William Buick racks up 100th win at the highest level as Mill Stream comes good
- Unbeaten Ancient Truth 10-1 for 2,000 Guineas and 'will get better and better' after impressing in Superlative Stakes
- In-form Harry Wilson has fired in four winners - find out his picks for the rest of the ITV races
- 'It's nothing to do with money, we want to win' - Charlie Appleby reaffirms support of British racing as Godolphin stir into life
- Newmarket: Buick blooms on the July course as Desert Flower strikes on debut to set up champion jockey's four-timer
- July Cup: 'It's extra special' - William Buick racks up 100th win at the highest level as Mill Stream comes good
- Unbeaten Ancient Truth 10-1 for 2,000 Guineas and 'will get better and better' after impressing in Superlative Stakes
- In-form Harry Wilson has fired in four winners - find out his picks for the rest of the ITV races