Varian optimistic Cape Byron can hold his own at top level in July Cup test

Roger Varian has not managed to make an impact in previous runnings of Saturday's Group 1 Darley July Cup but has high hopes progressive Royal Ascot winner Cape Byron can change his fortunes in the race.

The Wokingham winner spearheads a small but select team from Carlburg Stables at this week's three-day Newmarket July Festival and is 6-1 third favourite with Paddy Power to land the speed test.

Previously a winner of the Victoria Cup over seven furlongs at Ascot, Cape Byron handled the drop back to six in his stride at the royal meeting and the stiff finish of the July course is expected to play to his strengths.

Varian, who's previous best placing in the sprint was eighth with Elzaam in 2011, was in positive mode after watching the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid-owned five-year-old canter on Warren Hill on Monday morning.

The trainer said: "Cape Byron is in good form and I think his Wokingham win was a comprehensive win in a competitive handicap carrying a large weight. It was a Group performance but whether it was a Group 1 performance I don't know and he probably needs to improve again to win a July Cup.

"You could argue that he's still unexposed and the stiff track of the July course looks tailor made for him."

Cape Byron and Mick Denaro

He added: "He ran a number of good races last year when the cards didn't fall for him. They couldn't go quick enough for him over seven furlongs in the Victoria Cup when he was hanging on at the finish and his work rider Mick Denaro suggested dropping him to six in the Wokingham and it suited him perfectly.

"It's a big jump from that to a July Cup but he's rated 113 now and deserves to line up. He's a nice horse to be going into a July Cup with and he goes on any ground. Only if it got very soft would it concern me."

Varian also has one of the market leaders for the same day's Bet365 Bunbury Cup in Spanish City who is 8-1 joint-favourite with most firms.

The six-year-old looked ripe for tackling a stiff seven furlongs when finishing with a flourish into third behind stablemate Flavius Titus at the track last month.

Varian said: "Spanish City was a touch unlucky in the race last year so hopefully can gain some compensation, although we want the rain to stay away for him."

Spanish City leads the Varian team on to the Bury Road

Varian is hoping to be two-handed in the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes on Friday with Royal Ascot absentees Qabala and Mot Juste.

Qabala was sent off favourite when finishing third in the 1,000 Guineas in May but failed to back that up when beating only one home in the Irish equivalent

Varian said: "Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Qabala in Ireland and it's best to put a line through that effort.

"Mot Juste has not been seen since since the 1,000 Guineas when she got knocked sideways at one point and she's better than that."

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app