Billy Loughnane is set to be in Group 1 action at Newmarket this weekend when he bids for the first top-level success of his burgeoning career in the My Pension Expert July Cup.
Loughnane was among the winners on Saturday's Coral-Eclipse card at Sandown, notably landing the Coral Challenge aboard Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) for Charlie Hills, who is set to reward the young rider with the mount on one of his two potential July Cup runners, the Jim and Fitri Hay-owned pair of Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Mitbaahy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}).
Jamie Spencer's ban leaves the Hays without the services of their preferred jockey at Newmarket and Loughnane is set to be one of the beneficiaries. Khaadem, in particular, would be a signficant ride for the 18-year-old to pick up after the gelding won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot for the second consecutive year.
“Billy the kid–he's amazing isn't he and great for the future of our sport,” Hills said of Loughnane. “It's great to have a young jockey like that. He's very articulate and a brilliant rider–he has great hands and is very astute in a race. I'm really looking forward to watching his career going forward.
“He's going to ride for me in the July Cup and will maybe take the ride on Khaadem. Jamie is unfortunately banned, so absolutely he will take a ride there.”
One horse who will not be in action at Newmarket is the Adrian Murray-trained Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who has reportedly failed to recover in time from the setback which ruled him out of Royal Ascot.
A Group 1 winner as a juvenile when landing the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, Bucanero Fuerte was last seen winning the G3 Lacken Stakes on his first start of the campaign at Naas in May, with signs of travel sickness forcing him to miss Ascot when he was among the favourites for the G1 Commonwealth Cup.
“He lost a bit of weight [after travelling to Ascot] and we need a few more weeks to get him back to where he was,” said Murray. “It's disappointing, but that's the way it goes.
“Long-term, in October when we get soft or heavy ground, he'll love that. I'd say he's a better horse on heavy ground. We've got loads of options, so we'll get him right and see where we go.”
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