'He lost his speed at the end' - Japanese hope King Hermes warms up for July Cup

King Hermes completed his preparation for Saturday's Group 1 Darley July Cup with a workout on the July course on Wednesday morning, as he bids to become the first Japanese-trained winner of the race since 2000.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who made history at the Breeders' Cup last year when saddling the first horses trained in Japan to win at the fixture, King Hermes is dropping back to six furlongs for the July Cup having shown the majority of his best form over further.

In contrast to some of the compact types he will be taking on at the weekend, King Hermes does not look like your average sprinter but Yahagi is hopeful the stiffer track at Newmarket will help him.

After watching King Hermes work over five furlongs with a lead horse provided by Roger Varian, Yahagi said: “I was a bit conscious that he lost his speed at the end of the workout, but hopefully this will help the horse to know what is required on Saturday.

“The ideal trip for him is seven furlongs, but hopefully the incline here will help him dropping back to six.”

The three-year-old is a 25-1 chance to give Japan a second win in the July Cup following Agnes World's victory in 2000.

King Hermes was partnered by his regular jockey Ryusei Sakai, who will be having his first ride in Britain in the July Cup.

“He’s ridden all over the world at places like Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Australia so we are not worried about his lack of experience," Yahagi said. "Hopefully the horse can put up a good showing.”

King Hermes, pictured at Newmarket on Wednesday morning, is a 25-1 for Saturday's Darley July Cup

Among the horses King Hermes will be taking on are the Charlie Appleby-trained pair Naval Crown and Creative Force, who finished first and second in last month's Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Appleby said: “They have come out of Ascot in good shape and the plan is to run both again in the July Cup.

“Creative Force has had experience of the track and the race, which are important factors in his favour. He is more seasoned [compared to when he ran last year] and comes to the race off the back of a great second.”

Quoted on Godolphin's website, Appleby added: “Naval Crown is a class horse. He’s still a junior in the sprinting ranks but one with the potential to progress even higher in the rankings.”

Darley July Cup (4.25 Newmarket, Saturday)

bet365: 2 Perfect Power, 7-2 Artorius, 9-2 Creative Force, 6 Naval Crown, 8 Flaming Rib, 16 bar

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