King’s Stand Stakes third Pearl Secret was the most notable absentee at the confirmation stage for Saturday’s July Cup at Newmarket.
David Barron’s lightly-raced four-year-old, who lost his unbeaten record in last summer’s Nunthorpe Stakes, returned from a long absence at Royal Ascot and is likely to remain over five furlongs for the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
“He wasn’t confirmed,” Barron told At The Races.
“It wasn’t particularly the ground. He is quite a free-going horse, to test him on the July Course over six furlongs might have been something I didn’t really relish and I think Jamie (Spencer) didn’t relish it. We’ll hang back and he’ll go to Goodwood.”
Ante-post favourite Shea Shea is among 15 sprinters to stand their ground in the Group One feature.
Mike de Kock’s representative was narrowly outpointed by Sole Power in the King’s Stand and the pair are set to lock horns again over an extra furlong.
Clive Cox has engaged fifth-placed Reckless Abandon as well as his impressive Diamond Jubilee Stakes winner Lethal Force.
There are a number of international raiders making another British appearance following Royal Ascot, with Australian Shamexpress, the American Havelock and Fawzi Nass’s Bahraini star Krypton Factor also in the line-up.
