Timeform's July Cup report: Alcohol Free analysis

A generational clash between the principals from the two Group One 6f races at Royal Ascot, all but one of the older runners having contested the Platinum Jubilee, only the Japanese-trained King Hermes missing from the Commonwealth Cup among the three-year-olds, the older runners dominating, the first six all in the Platinum Jubilee field, track position significant as well, the field in two groups for much of the way, those drawn low – stalls 1 to 6 – not competitive from at least 2f out, though they may just not have been good enough, the form among the principals looking solid and straightforward to assess, the form looking up to scratch.

Alcohol Free proved at least as good as ever, running easily her best race of the year and adding a fourth Group One to her tally, the decision to run here rather than in the Falmouth the day before well rewarded, coping well with the pace of a sprint at the second attempt back and not so keen as she tends to be at 1m; waited with, travelled well, effort over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead last ½f, in command soon after; she's likely to bid for a repeat win in the Sussex Stakes next, that a tougher assignment, the danger that she will be too keen if the race is not well run surely increased, given she's been sprinting on her last two runs.

Naval Crown was beaten by one that had been behind him last time, but he ran very close to the improved level of form he'd shown in the Platinum Jubilee, able to dominate on his part of the track, where there wasn't an obvious front runner, and seen to maximum advantage; broke well, led, went with zest, shaken up 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on well, headed last ½f, not quicken; the Sprint Cup and Champions Sprint are the obvious next races for him, no reason why he won't run well in both.

Artorius ran much as he had at Ascot, taking the same position and running to a similar level, doing his best work late after finding the pace a bit much mid-race, his two runs in Britain suggesting a horse that needs everything to fall right; raced off the pace, shaken up halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on well, nearest at the finish.

Flaming Rib had built a solid record since returned to sprinting this year, but like the favourite, who had beaten him in the Commonwealth Cup, he was a fair way below his best, racing on the possibly unfavoured side offering at best a partial excuse; tracked pace, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.

Romantic Proposal wasn't in the same form as last time, 10 weeks on, not looking to let herself down on the ground once asked for her effort, this the firmest surface she's faced; held up, travelled well, shaken up under 2f out, edged left, no extra final 1f.

King Hermes, down in trip, looked to face a stiff task on form and made little impact, looking rather ill at ease on the track; tracked pace, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out.

Cadamosto had got back on track in the Commonwealth Cup and ought to have been ideally drawn to make an impact, but he was unable to follow that effort up, let alone build on it, the form of that race taking a significant knock overall; held up, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, dropped away final 1f.

Twilight Jet ran poorly again, no excuse immediately coming to light on this occasion, making the running on the possibly less favoured side, but beaten plenty far enough out to think there was more to it than that; helped force pace, shaken up under 3f out, weakened under 2f out.

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at and .