2026 July Cup tips: the runners, the odds, the verdict
Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here
Get the full lowdown on the July Cup (4.35 Newmarket, Saturday) from our team of tipping experts in our extensive runner-by-runner guide.
July Cup: forecast betting odds for the big race
Horses listed in racecard order
Almeraq 11-2
Big Mojo 9-1
Comanche Brave 20-1
Double Rush 8-1
Prince Of India 50-1
Quinault 33-1
Satono Reve 100-30
Coppull 33-1
Division 9-1
Mission Central 11-2
Venetian Sun 3-1
July Cup: final declarations and the full list of runners and riders
1 Almeraq
Progressive colt who got up on the line in a very tight finish to the 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently, taking record in completed starts to 4-6 and confirming that a heavy fall last September has not left a long-lasting mark; an emerging force in the sprinting division and is from the family of a July Cup winner (Dream Ahead); major contender.
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Forecast odds: 11-2
2 Big Mojo
Respectable eighth in the 5f Group 1 at Royal Ascot with reappearance under his belt; better over 6f nowadays and posted one of his peak efforts in this race (good to firm) last year, finishing a neck second; later landed the Sprint Cup at Haydock in sole start under William Buick; interesting with that rider back on board.
Trainer: Mick Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Forecast odds: 9-1
3 Comanche Brave
Prevailed at the Curragh in May to break his Group 2 duck; not disgraced in the 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot since but that seventh-place finish confirms his slight limitations at the top level; will find better opportunities when back down in class.
Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Forecast odds: 20-1
New customer offer: get £50 in free bets when you bet £10
Get £50 In Free Bet Multis When You Place £10
- Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)
4 Double Rush
Smart handicapper who brings excellent stats, being 3-3 at Newmarket (on the other course, admittedly, but it bodes well) and 3-3 (much improved) this term for new yard; prevailed only narrowly in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently but seems on his way to becoming a Group performer; adds great interest.
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Forecast odds: 8-1
5 Prince Of India
Joint-favourite with Almeraq in Salisbury Listed race last time but underperformed; bottom of this pack on ratings and accordingly faces a much stiffer assignment than when winning a handicap at this meeting last year; blinkers added.
Trainer: Marco Botti
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Forecast odds: 50-1
6 Quinault
Multiple winner, most recently when sent over to Qatar in February, but his form has regressed since and this is a difficult task even if a revival materialises; gained his C&D wins at handicap/Listed level; yet to score above Group 3.
Trainer: Stuart Williams
Jockey: Marco Ghiani
Forecast odds: 33-1
7 Satono Reve
Japanese horse who is a two-time Grade 1 scorer on home soil and has finished a creditable second in the last two runnings of the 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot, beaten only a nose by Almeraq the latest time; could go one better at Newmarket, as was the case with compatriot Agnes World who was runner-up at Royal Ascot prior to going one better in this contest in 2000.
Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Forecast odds: 100-30
8 Coppull
Very useful 3yo but finished only eighth, albeit best of the near-side runners, in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when bidding to follow up his trial success over the same C&D; bare form of the latest effort gives him work to do with Venetian Sun and Division; furthermore, it took his Group 1 record to 0-3.
Trainer: Clive Cox
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Forecast odds: 33-1
New customer offer: get £30 in free bets when you bet £5
£30 In Free Bets When You Bet £5
- Great acca features, including the ability to edit a live accumulator
9 Division
Solid performer who completed a hat-trick during his 2yo campaign and has strong placed form this season, the last two times behind Venetian Sun; finished well for close third in the Commonwealth Cup latest; has broadly progressive RPRs in tandem with a gradual rise in class; knocking on the door at Group level.
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: James Doyle
Forecast odds: 9-1
10 Mission Central
Progressive 3yo gelding who brings impressive stats, being 3-3 (all over 5f against his elders) this term and 3-3 over 6f; finished strongly to get up in the final strides in the 5f Group 1 at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently; all bar one of his trainer's five July Cup winners have been 3yos; big player back up in distance.
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Forecast odds: 11-2
11 Venetian Sun
Classy 3yo filly who is unbeaten (6-6) over sprint trips, mostly in Group races, including two at the top level; only narrowly justified favouritism in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently but it's hard to knock her record and there may yet be further advancement in terms of her rating; sire won the July Cup; receives all the allowances and duly warrants respect.
Trainer: Kark Burke
Jockey: Clifford Lee
Forecast odds: 3-1
The July Cup verdict
Satono Reve
By Steve Boow
The form of several tight finishes at Royal Ascot largely dominates calculations in an open-looking July Cup and an intriguing clash of generations that has several plausible outcomes. Japanese raider SATONO REVE is the oldest contender but he retains full ability aged seven and this switch to Newmarket may enable him to reverse Jubilee placings with Almeraq, who nevertheless commands respect assuming the cards again drop perfectly. Talented filly Venetian Sun has a good chance at the weights and remains unbeaten over sprint trips, while Division (second choice) is showing signs that he could turn the tables with that rival in another rematch and Mission Central is another big player among the 3yos.
Read these next:
'Odds of 14-1 are too big' - why this horse can win the July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday
Rapidly improving handicapper will 'relish' July Cup test as Newmarket team brace for massive week
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Important information: This article may contain links to offers or promotions that were available at the time of publication. These offers may have since expired or changed.
Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.
Published on inNewmarket July festival
Last updated
CopyClick here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here
- The King George is no longer the Arc's poor cousin - certainly not to Kalpana and two of racing's most famous families
- 'She's the best bet of the day by miles' - Johnny and DJ's weekend bankers, World Cup final tips and views on Ombudsman v Constitution River
- An unlucky defeat screamed future Group 1 winner - but it's a wonderfully wayward two-year-old who really leaves us wanting more
- Flat racing needs Godolphin at the top of their game - and these dazzling two-year-olds suggest they're back
- 'It's all about the winners - let's keep it going' - William Buick eyes stellar spell for Charlie Appleby after fabulous July festival
- The King George is no longer the Arc's poor cousin - certainly not to Kalpana and two of racing's most famous families
- 'She's the best bet of the day by miles' - Johnny and DJ's weekend bankers, World Cup final tips and views on Ombudsman v Constitution River
- An unlucky defeat screamed future Group 1 winner - but it's a wonderfully wayward two-year-old who really leaves us wanting more
- Flat racing needs Godolphin at the top of their game - and these dazzling two-year-olds suggest they're back
- 'It's all about the winners - let's keep it going' - William Buick eyes stellar spell for Charlie Appleby after fabulous July festival