Richard Hannon Junior, the assistant trainer of Darley July Cup hopeful Assertive, is looking for an improvement from the horse in Friday's (July 11th) Group One after his showing in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot.

The five-year-old came 14th in the race, blown away by winner and much-fancied July Cup entrant Kingsland Native.

Hannon Junior told the Press Association: "There wasn't really an excuse last time. He's a sprinter and they don't always run their race. It happens, and he'll be back."

Marchand D'Or and Utmost Respect have been hotly-tipped for the race after the clerk of the course predicted soft ground.

Sakhee's Secret is one absence from the highly-anticipated sprint, said to be the most lucrative in Europe with a winner's purse of £400,000.

The four year-old was pulled out by trainer Hughie Morrison after apparently picking up a virus.

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