Muthmir ‘could rattle’ big names at Darley July Cup

Muthmir, right, can usurp the two more talkedabout horses in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Picture: Getty Images

Most of the pre-race chatter has surrounded Australian whiz Brazen Beau and Muhaarar, who was, admittedly, brilliant at Royal Ascot.

But Muthmir is more battle-hardened than the two leading three-year-olds and could have the edge in the same colours as Muhaarar.

Trained by William Haggas, who continues to churn out the winners, the gelded son of Invincible Spirit particularly likes the rough and tumble of high-class sprint races.

He was, though, a shade unfortunate in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting as he was bumped a furlong from home and had to make do with the bronze medal behind Goldream.

To be beaten half a length in the King’s Stand is obviously no reason for dismay, of course, especially as he finished off the race with a bit of a flourish.

As has been the case with much of his form, that tends to illustrate the five-year-old is better over six furlongs.

Muthmir won the Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly in May when there was plenty of ease underfoot, but Haggas will be firmly of the belief the faster conditions at Newmarket are much more palatable.

With the head of the market contracted by the presence of Brazen Beau and Muhaarar, he rates cracking value.

Alan Swinbank is looking for a big run from Northside Prince in the feature race at Hamilton Park tonight.

The Ben Curtis-ridden top-weight faces seven rivals in the James Frew & T Clarke M&E Partnership Handicap.

“He’s got good place form at the track but it’s a big weight,” Swinbank said. “He was fourth up there the other day and we are bringing him back in trip a little bit – that was his first run on the Flat for ages although he’d had a race over hurdles.”

Among those in opposition to Northside Prince are Scottish trio New Colours (Linda Perratt), Pixie Cut (Alistair Whillans) and Latin Rebel (Jim Goldie).

At Perth tomorrow, Thinger Licht has the chance to bring up his hat-trick in the Sky To Scoop Perth Silver Cup Handicap Chase.

He won a Kempton chase back in May, recovering in style after making a very costly error to eventually outbattle Lord Lir by 12 lengths.

Turning out at Market Rasen last week, Thinger Licht reverted to hurdles and again put his best foot forward as he powered home by three and a half lengths from Bath Wells.

However, he is rated a fair bit lower over hurdles and will have to defy a 15lb rise for his Kempton win, lining up on a mark of 101 but he looks game for the challenge.