We may be without Euro 2024 for the first Saturday in around a month, but there is more than enough action to compensate on the racetrack, with “Super Saturday” hitting our screens.
There’s high-class racing up and down the country, including at Chester, Ascot and York, but headlining the lot is the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket, which sees some of the best sprinters from around the world lock horns.
The six furlong sprint contest is the feature race of the three-day July Festival and the winner is often considered to be the best sprinter in Europe.
The three-year-olds Inisherin and Vandeek lead the market at the time of writing – with both hoping to emulate last year’s winner Shaquille.
With so much to digest, I’ve taken a look at the very best July Cup free bet offers betting tips and betting sites, and put together everything you need to know in this handy guide.
Newmarket July Festival 2024 day three race schedule
As you’d expect for a Group 1 schedule, there is plenty of depth and quality across Saturday’s seven-race card at Newmarket. There are two pattern races scheduled on the day alongside some hugely valuable handicaps and I have listed the full details of each race for you below.
Time | Race | Distance | Type |
13.40 | Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes | 7f | Class 3 |
14.12 | Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap | 7f | Class 2 |
14.50 | bet365 Mile Handicap | 1m | Class 2 |
15.25 | bet365 Superlative Stakes | 7f | Group 2 |
16.00 | bet365 Bunbury Cup | 7f | Class 2 |
16.35 | My Pension Expert July Cup Stakes | 6f | Group1 |
17.10 | Trust A Trader Handicap | 1m4f | Class 3 |
Newmarket July Cup 2024 tips and predictions
The July Cup is one of the most popular and exciting races of the entire year and there ought to be plenty of punters tuning into the big race on Saturday. The supporting card is an excellent one, too, and I’ve gone through the card at the final declarations stage and picked out my best bet in every single race for you below.
2024 July Cup tips
It’s very difficult to look past last month’s Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin, who arrives here as a warm 15/8 favourite after a sensation victory at Royal Ascot.
The three-year-old’s two and a quarter length success was one that oozed class and it made a firm case for setting out Kevin Ryan’s card as not only the best in his generation, but the leader in his field.
This will be tougher, with opponents including a rematch from the Sandy Lane Stakes against the outstanding juvenile Vandeek, though it is an assessment that Inisherin is fancied to pass with flying colours, with that rival now having something to prove.
In receipt of weight from his older rivals, Inisherin is fancied to take this at chief expense of the very likeable and classy Kinross, who should strip fitter for his pleasing return on the all-weather at Newcastle last month.
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2024 July Cup prize money
The July Cup is one of the most prestigious and exciting Group 1 races of the entire British Flat season and it is fittingly lucrative, with a total prize pot of £600,000 on offer.
The complete prize money breakdown for the 2024 July Cup Newmarket is as follows:
- 1st £340,260.00
- 2nd £129,000.00
- 3rd £64,560.00
- 4th £32,160.00
- 5th £16,140.00
- 6th £8,100.00
2024 July Cup jockey overview
A good starting point when studying for a big race is to look at the history books and identify jockeys who have won the race before.
Big race experience can be a big factor when riding in a Group 1 race and of the 12 riders due to take part on Saturday, just two have been successful in the past. I’ve listed all of the details of jockeys who have previously won the July Cup for you below.
- Ryan Moore (River Tiber) – 2 wins on U S Navy Flag in 2018 and Ten Sovereigns in 2019
- Rossa Ryan (Kinross) – 1 win on Shaquille in 2023
2024 July Cup trainer overview
Like with the riders, identifying yards who have a good record in the big race can be a useful starting point for studying for this year’s renewal.
Of the 10 yards due to be represented in the big race, three of them have won the Group 1 contest before, with the most successful of those being Aidan O’Brien.
The Ballydoyle maestro has won the race a joint-record five times, most recently with Ten Sovereigns back in 2019. I have listed the details of each yard to have won the July Cup before for you to look at below.
Aidan O’Brien
- Five winners: Stravinsky (1999), Mozart (2001), Starspangledbanner (2010), U S Navy Flag (2018) and Ten Sovereigns (2019)
- One runner: River Tiber (6-1)
Clive Cox
- Two winners: Lethal Force (2013) and Harry Angel (2017)
- One runner: Jasour (12-1)
Charlie Hills
- One winner: Muhaarar (2015)
- One runner: Khaadem (20-1)
July Cup previous winners
Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Age |
2023 | Shaquille | Rossa Ryan | Julie Camacho | 3 |
2022 | Alcohol Free | Rob Hornby | Andrew Balding | 4 |
2021 | Starman | Tom Marquand | Ed Walker | 4 |
2020 | Oxted | Cieren Fallon | Roger Teal | 4 |
2019 | Ten Sovereigns | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | 3 |
2018 | U S Navy Flag | Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien | 3 |
2017 | Harry Angel | Adam Kirby | Clive Cox | 3 |
2016 | Limato | Harry Bentley | Henry Candy | 4 |
Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes tips
I open the card with a tricky-looking maiden for the two-year-old fillies, in which market clues will be vital. Without the benefit of those at the time of writing, a chance is taken on the debutant Desert Flower.
She makes plenty of appeal on paper as a full sister to stablemate Aablan, who won over course and distance on debut and went on to win the Solario Stakes at Sandown. With little form of note to work with, she could be way to go.
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Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap tips
An open-looking seven furlong handicap, in which Hard To Resist is fancied to come out on top for His Majesty King Charles II. The three-year-old was admittedly down the field on return in last month’s Sandringham Stakes at the Royal meeting, but she enjoyed a solid campaign last year (winning over course and distance) and that ought to have blown the cobwebs away.
Dropped 1lb for that run, it would be no surprise to see her go close under Ryan Moore.
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bet365 Trophy tips
A fiendishly difficult handicap, in which it’s possible to make a plausible case for pretty much each of 16 runners declared. Liveandletlive arrives here in fine form, having shrugged off a notable hike in the weights to complete a double at Haydock over this trip last month.
He has another 6lbs rise to contend with here, but the nature of his win that day suggested that he may not have finished improving just yet and he gets the vote to complete the hat-trick.
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bet365 Superlative Stakes tips
A Group 2 contest for the two-year-olds, which has a real habit of unearthing a superstar, with last year’s winner City Of Troy going on to win this summer’s Epsom Derby. It remains to be seen whether I have a colt that’s quite as good this time around, though Ancient Truth looks a fine prospect.
He’s done very little wrong in two starts so far and complete a double in fine style over course and distance last month, seeing out the trip really well. This is a big step up in class, but he’s fancied to find the necessary improvement to take this.
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bet365 Bunbury Cup tips
A race which is steeped in history, as it is named after Sir Charles Bunbury, who missed out on having the Epsom Derby named after him! It is one of the most competitive handicap races of the season and plenty of the 20-strong line-up have plausible claims.
Carrytheone is all the rage in the market at the time of writing after his fine run at Royal Ascot, but it could be worth siding with Gorak here. He was a few lengths behind the favourite last time out, but shaped well on the unfavourable side that day. He was a fine second over course and distance prior to that and off the same mark, he’s fancied to scoop this valuable pot.
Trust A Trader Handicap tips
I close the card with a tricky handicap over a mile and a half, where market clues will be a useful pointer closer to the time. Without the benefit of those at the time of writing, it could be worth siding with Poniros.
He was well held at Royal Ascot last month but failed to settle that day and had produced an excellent effort in a better race than this prior to that. It’s worth giving him another chance to prove he stays the trip here and he gets the vote in the finale.
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About the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket
The July Cup is one of the most valuable and prestigious sprint races in the world, which attracts runners from all over the globe.
Run over six furlongs, the Group 1 contest is worth a cool £600,000 in prize money and the winner is often seen as the best sprinter in Europe – potentially opening the door to lucrative assignments around the world against the very best.
The race is approaching its 50th anniversary of being a Group 1 contest having been upgraded in 1978 and some iconic horses have won it in that time, including Habibti (1983), Soviet Star (1988), Oasis Dream (2003) and Mayson (2012).
The July Cup headlines the three-day July Festival at Newmarket, which is held on the world-famous July Course. It is the main event of the course’s summer schedule, before switching back to the Rowley Mile course as we approach the autumn.
How to bet on the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket
With five races at Newmarket on Saturday due to be shown on ITV1, there’s every chance that there will be punters who are watching and betting on racing for the first time.
If that applies to you and betting on racing seems daunting, fear not. I have put together this brief step-by-step guide to betting on the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket.
- Log into your betting account. If you do not have a betting account, you can find plenty of suggestions in this article.
- If you need to create a betting account, find a free bet offer that suits you and click through to the sign up page.
- Once you are logged into your betting site, navigate to the ‘horse racing’ section.
- Find the racing taking place at Newmarket (July) on Saturday 13th July 2024 and head to the 4.35pm contest.
- You now need to pick a July Cup runner to bet on. You can either follow the expert racing tips in this article or you can read the form yourself for free on the betting site.
- Once you have picked a NAP in the July Cup, add them to the betting slip by clicking on the odds next to their name.
- You should be able to see your July Cup bet in the betting slip. Input your stake.
- Once you are happy with everything, click ‘place bets’. You are ready to go!
How to watch the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket
“Super Saturday” is a huge event in the British horse racing calendar and five races on July Cup Day at Newmarket will be shown live on ITV1.
The remaining two races will be screened on Racing TV, while punters can stream all British and Irish horse racing on the vast majority of betting sites. Do check with your operator that they offer this before placing any bets!
FAQ about tips and previews on the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket
The July Cup is a hugely popular and prestigious event, in which plenty of people will be heading to their local betting shop to have a bet.
The Group 1 contest attracts punters who perhaps aren’t regular bettors on the sport and if that applies to you, it may be that betting on horse racing may seem daunting.
Fear not, I have answered three of the most frequently asked questions about betting on the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket for you below.
1. Which bookmakers are offering the best promotions or bonuses for the 2024 July Cup at Newmarket?
To put it simply, there are some fantastic 2024 July Cup free bet offers available on the market, no matter which you choose. There is very much something for everyone and it may suit you best to find a betting site that suits your needs. There are plenty of suggestions on this page for you to take a look at.
2. What’s the best way for beginners to use the 2024 July Cup tips for betting?
If you are new to betting on horse racing, it can seem daunting at first, particularly if you are betting on a big race like the 2024 July Cup. There may be lots of numbers and data to get your head around at first, but it is a relatively simple sport once you know what you are doing. A good piece of advice is to simply read and consume as much of the sport as you possibly can, as it is the quickest way that you will learn. In the meantime, you can view expert free betting tips in this article.
3. Is the July Cup the biggest race of the year?
The July Cup is one of the most popular and exciting races of the entire year, with the winner regularly being crowned the best in Europe. There are plenty of punters who will name the July Cup as their favourite race.
About the author
Nick Seddon
A sports journalist with more than a decade of experience, Nick has covered some of the biggest events in sport, from the Grand National and the Epsom Derby in horse racing to Walsall against Wigan Athletic in League One.
Follow Nick on X: @nickseddon_
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