Art Connoisseur improving ahead of July Cup

Michael Bell believes that his Golden Jubilee Stakes winner, Art Connoisseur, has plenty left in his locker ahead of next week’s Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Having won last year’s Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting, the three-year-old had seemingly lost his way this year.  However, he bounced back to form in the Group 1 sprint on only his seventh start and now the trainer thinks there is more to come:: "He worked this morning, he's in great form and the intention is to run him in the July Cup providing the ground is in his favour.

"The girl that rides him everyday felt that he's improved and I would say he looks as though he has.  I'm hopeful he'll be seen to good effect there. He likes fast ground and given the weather we're having at the moment it looks like it's going to be so."

Like most trainers going into the race, Michael Bell remains very wary of the presence of King’s Stand winner and favourite, Aussie Scenic Blast who is the current 7/4 jolly.  He said: "He looked pretty impressive and the form of that race is probably pretty strong.  I saw him on the Heath the other day and he looks extremely well, he looks healthy and bouncy and on his game so he'll be tough to beat."

Art Connoisseur is a best-priced 15/2 (SportingBet) for the race, with Paco Boy just behind Scenic Blast in the market at 5/1 (WilliamHill).

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Tags: Art Connoisseur, Darley July Cup, Golden Jubilee, Michael Bell, Paco Boy, Scenic Blast