'Supreme traveller' Notable Speech expected to handle big drop in distance in July Cup

Charlie Appleby is confident “supreme traveller” Notable Speech will have the speed to cope with the step back to six furlongs for today’s July Cup at Newmarket.

The Godolphin-owned son of Dubawi has had 10 career outings - each of them at a mile, including Group 1 triumphs in last year’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Notable Speech, fourth in the top-level Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in two outings in 2025, was supplemented for this afternoon’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored test.

And Appleby believes coming back in distance is the right move for William Buick’s mount.

“He’s a supreme traveller and the July Cup can be won by horses like that who are dropping back from a mile,” said the trainer.

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“He wasn’t really in the Guineas picture because William wasn’t sure whether he would get the mile.

“If we were going to try a Guineas it was going to be the French Guineas, but of course he won the Guineas at Newmarket and that’s where he’s been ever since.

“He’s done physically very well - he’s a typical Dubawi who is a ball of strength with a deep girth on him - and he’s always travelled like a quick horse in his homework.”

Notable Speech is William Hill’s 2-1 favourite to beat 14 rivals and Appleby added “If you are going to introduce a sprinter at this level then this is the track to do it and this could be the right race.

“If he can win it, it changes the dynamics of his future career, both as a stallion and on the racecourse.”