Sir Gerry, who fared best of those held up off the pace when a staying-on third in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, is fancied to turn the tables on his conquerors to land the Darley July Cup (3.10) at Newmarket today.

He was beaten two lengths by Kingsgate Native there, with War Artist three-quarters of a length ahead of him in second, but there are sound reasons for believing that he can come out on top this time as both the softer ground and stiffer track are more likely to suit him than either of the pair that beat him.

Three-year-olds have a good record in the July Cup, winning four of the past nine renewals despite usually only accounting for a small fraction of the field. Open to plenty of improvement after just seven starts, Sir Gerry is a fair bet at 13-2 with William Hill to add to that record.

Marchand D'Or beat Sir Gerry by just over three lengths over five furlongs at Chantilly last month, but was only sixth over this longer trip in the Golden Jubilee. While he was drawn higher than ideal there, he had twice previously failed in the highest grade in this country, finishing fourth to Sakhee's Secret in this race 12 months ago and again coming up short when runner-up to Red Clubs in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. He may again have to settle for a supporting role.

Zaahid looks a worthy favourite in the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup (2.35). He has run well in competitive handicaps on all three starts this season, just failing to last home over a mile in testing conditions on his first two starts at Doncaster and Newbury before gaining a deserved success over seven furlongs in the Victoria Cup at Ascot. He won in good style there, despite ground faster than ideal, and remains fairly weighted after just a 6lb rise.

The dangers are headed by Artimino, who has won on his second start in each of the past two seasons and should strip fitter for a third to Dhaular Dhar at Doncaster at the end of May. He meets that rival on 6lb better terms for just under a length and looks sure to go well.

The Unicorn Asset Management Handicap (1.30) can go to Perks. A six-length winner of a competitive handicap on soft ground at Doncaster, he was then given too much to do in a slowly run race when a close third to Duntulm and Flawed Genius at Newmarket. Weighted to reverse form with those rivals, he should be forgiven a below-par run at Royal Ascot last time as the firm ground was against him. Back under his ideal conditions, Perks looks sure to go close.

Sanvean may cause an upset in the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes (2.00). She looked in need of the experience on her debut at York, but stayed on well to finish third behind Honest Quality. That form looks solid enough - the runner-up, African Skies, was a good fourth in group three company at Royal Ascot - and with this extra furlong in her favour. Sanvean can show her true worth.

Measurement will be a warm order for the Aristocracy Racing Club Nursery (4.20). The merit of his latest two-length second to Classic Blade at Salisbury was given a massive boost when that horse won the July Stakes here yesterday and he will be hard to beat off what looks a lowly mark.