NEWMARKET (JULY) 15:50

Non Runners: SOLE POWER, FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (IRE), DUE DILIGENCE (USA).

Time: 1m 12.4s

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 100.2%

This wasn't necessarily the deepest of July Cup fields assembled in recent year's, only 2 of them having been successful at the top level previously, but there were a few unknown quantities amongst them, Noozhoh Canarias and Gregorian dropped back in trip, whilst the once-raced Cougar Mountain was an intriguing runner for Aidan O'Brien, who'd pulled out both Fountain of Youth and Diamond Jubilee runner-up Due Diligence earlier in the day - Sole Power was another absentee from the initial declarations; the form is rated slightly lower than a couple of recent renewals of this race, though still at least on par with overall standards, and unsurprisingly it should prove to be an informative race with an eye on other top sprints that are still to come this season; the field soon split into two groups, with 6 of them stand side, and it was Astaire and Justice Day in that pack that were responsible for a strong gallop, those towards the far side, headed by Noozhoh Canarias, not going so hard, and Slade Power and Tropics both emerged from that group to fight it out, ahead of a couple that were kept off the pace near side.

SLADE POWER (IRE) cemented his position at the top of the European sprinting scene, becoming the third horse in recent year's to complete a Group-1 double by winning this 3 weeks after landing the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, and in ratings terms he's achieving at least as much as any sprinter has on these shores in recent times, consistently showing high-class form, proving most reliable and adaptable to different conditions, tracks and circumstances; having done well when always close to a strong pace last time, Wayne Lordan was a little more patient with Slade Power here, handy in the far-side group but no better than mid-field overall, an ideal position as the race panned out, and after travelling up strongly he was produced to lead over 1f out and driven clear; he'd have to be a strong favourite for the Sprint Cup at Haydock if he were to go there, facing similar rivals again, but his trainer said afterwards that the main aim now is to go for the VRC Sprint at Flemington in November; it'll be much tougher in Australia, up against the top-class Lankan Rupee who Timeform currently rate as the best sprinter worldwide, but Slade Power is still getting better if anything, and it's best not to make too much of last year's International flop in Hong Kong, which came as something of an afterthought after a long season.

TROPICS (USA) had hinted that better was around the corner in the Diamond Jubilee 3 weeks earlier, not ideally placed there, and with a much better track position here he not only bounced back to form but produced a career best, belatedly proving his Group 1 credentials; raced alongside Slade Power in the far-side group, mid-division overall, always travelling well, held every chance briefly approaching final 1f and kept on without being a match for the winner; clearly wasn't right for the first couple of months of this campaign but is expected to hold it together now, mindful of how reliable he was in 2013.

GREGORIAN (IRE) had never tried sprinting before, even in his early days, but coped with the 1f shorter trip, running well and unlucky not to finish closer, rated alongside Tropics and full value for it; raced stand side, mid-division, headway when denied a run after 2f out, forced to switch entering final 1f, finished well despite wandering around; he'll do well to win a Group 1, but has more chance of doing so in the sprint division than over further, and odds of 33/1 for the Sprint Cup are unflattering for one of his ability who could do more for this first experience at 6f.

UNDRAFTED (USA) has only just been reverted to sprinting and it's proving the making of him, successful in a Grade 3 in the US 5 weeks earlier and running a career best to hit the frame here in face of just about his stiffest task to date, albeit suited by coming from off the strong pace in the stand-side group, making headway under pressure over 1f out and keeping on.

COUGAR MOUNTAIN (IRE) ran a massive race for one so experienced, his debut win having come only 17 days earlier, remarkable that he was able to mix it with some fully-developed Group 1 performers straight away, and he's even worth more credit than the bare result having raced closer than ideal to the strong pace; chased leaders stand side, went with enthusiasm, challenged over 1f out, one paced; to have achieved/promised so much so soon into his career marks him out as potential Champion sprinter material, certainly one to follow.

NOOZHOH CANARIAS (SPA) looked tailormade for the drop back to 6f after his enthusiastic front-running display in the 2000 Guineas but failed to meet expectations, just not seeming quite on his game; led far-side group but wasn't going too hard (fifth overall at halfway), headed by Slade Power over there approaching final 1f, faded; he is better than this and worth another chance, previous form/impressions still suggesting he has the makings of a very smart sprinter.

HOT STREAK (IRE) remains a candidate for top 5f honours going forward, looking set to play a bigger part for much of this, the stiff 6f predictably finding him out in the end, but only after a sweeping move from well off the pace (far side) in the penultimate 1f that saw him briefly hold every chance; will prove best allowed to roll at the minimum trip and the Nunthorpe should provide him with optimum conditions, at a track where speed matters most.

MOVIESTA (USA) hasn't yet fired in 2014 but might have needed this run after 8 weeks off and it'll be no surprise to see him spring back to life in the King George Stakes at Goodwood in a few weeks time, a race that he won last year; raced far side, held up, progress over 2f out, weakened final 1f, not unduly punished.

ALJAMAAHEER (IRE) is generally consistent but wasn't on a going day here, looking awkward with the blinkers on again, struggling over 2f out and hanging left as he weakened out of contention far side; has never looked in need of headgear (strong-travelling type) and it might be best discarded next time.

JACK DEXTER would be competitive in these top races if he got back to the level he was at last autumn, but has been operating some way below that form so far this year, not threatening in earnest here, losing his place soon after halfway having raced in touch far side, last home of that group.

ASTAIRE (IRE) is a notch short of the top sprinters but better judged on previous efforts than this, helping force an overly-strong pace towards the stand side, folding after headed over 1f out as that took its toll.

JUSTICE DAY (IRE) isn't Group 1 class, this too competitive for him, and he also went too hard helping to force the pace with Astaire on the stand side, folding over 1f out; he belongs in listed/minor pattern company, up to winning at that sort of level judging by recent Haydock win.

REX IMPERATOR clearly wasn't 100% on the day; raced stand side, chased leaders, folded tamely over 1f out, heavily eased off.