TThe emergence of several top three-year-old sprinters adds extra depth to an exceptional renewal of the Group One July Cup in Newmarket, with players like Dragon Symbol, Rohan (4.35), Creative Force and Line Of Departure pose a serious challenge to older horses, including Starman and last year’s winner, Oxted.

Rohaan started handicapping with a rating of 55, but is now over 61 pounds after a remarkable run through the ranks. David Evans’ gelding had a good time winning Wokingham last month and could still have at least one big step forward in him.

York 1.45 EaglewayThe 14 draw is worrying, but Jim Crowley is warned and his second in the Victoria Cup is as solid as any recent form offered.

Newmarket 2.05 Riknah progressed steadily and had a bit to spare when she succeeded on this track and made her handicap debut last month.

York 2.20 Prince of Fujaira, winner of Ebor last year at this course and this distance, has made successful seasonal debuts in 2019 and 2020 and has the best in this field, albeit close to his best.

New market 2.40 Royal Fleet and Kaheall are on the rise. The latter showed a good attitude at Chelmsford last month and is slightly preferred over the probable odds.

Ascot 3.00 Al Suhail was in Dubai form in March but has since been neutered and had a few performances last season that could make him a great player here at around 9-1.

New Market 3.15 Likely favorite Dhabab has not been tested in seven stadiums but Chesham third Grand Max has no problem with the trip.

Ascot 3.35 Unlimited Power has improved since joining Mick Appleby last winter. A high draw is a bonus and 10-1 looks generous.

Newmarket 3.50 Progressive Perotto could be a Group horse in his last handicap here. Ametist is the obvious danger.

York 4.05 Astro King met a Pattern class colt off 8th 9lb in a handicap in the Royal Hunt Cup last time around, but “won” on the grandstand side and will take a lot of hits at the same mark.

York 4.40 Winter power paid the price for helping set a scorching rhythm in the King’s Stand Stakes last time around, but his winning form over the course and distance in May gives him an obvious chance.

Snow Lantern sorts through his mother’s unfinished business

Eight years after one of the most controversial group one arrivals in recent memory, Snow Lantern ended the Hannon family on Friday with half-time success in the Falmouth Stakes – the same race in which his mother, Sky Lantern, finished second in 2013 after being worn halfway by Elusive Kate.

This race was followed by a thorough investigation by the Stewards, then an appeal to the BHA, which did not lead to any change in the ranking of Richard Hannon Snr’s filly. So it was left to the next generation, both human and equine, to sort out the unfinished business, as Snow Lantern traveled the final furrow to beat Mother Earth and Alcohol Free – both already Group 1 winners – in the last strides, with Lady Bowthorpe looking a bit unlucky as she also finished solid in fourth position.

“These Group 1 races, you have to be at your best and there are no weaknesses at all,” said Richard Hannon Jnr, who took over his father’s license in 2014. “I am delighted to win one and not be unlucky for once.

“I always thought we did [have closure for 2013], you don’t want to win a race in the commissaires’ room. It’s done, but it’s great, years later. There is a Sunday football game apparently, and I don’t care. Normally in Falmouth there are two or three beautiful fillies but all the good fillies were there today and she showed how good she is and what she is capable of.

Snow Lantern is listed in both the Nassua Stakes, at two other stadiums, and the one-mile Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood this month, and Hannon is inclined to keep her running against her own gender in the old competition.

Earlier on the card, Sandrine continued her victory in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot with even more impressive success in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes – formerly Cherry Hinton – to earn quotes of around 20-1 for the 1,000 Guineas. next year.

Sandrine finished powerfully on the last hill and it took David Probert a while to get her back up, suggesting that a mile would be well within her reach next season.

“She’s been a bit lonely up front, but she’s got a lot of ability,” said Andrew Balding, the winner’s coach. “She’s also very relaxed, which bodes well for her chances of staying a mile next year.

“I don’t want to make her travel at this point and our only [immediate] Group 1 options are in Ireland and France, so we’ll have to give her a little break and get her ready for the Cheveley Park Stakes. [in September]. “