Delegator on the drift at head of July Cup market

DELEGATOR may have underfoot conditions to suit for this afternoon's Darley July Cup bid but the Godolphin sprinter has proved easy to back this morning.

As short as 3-1 this week for the Group 1, the five-year-old is now a top price of 11-2 with Betfred and shares favouritism with Star Witness, with the pair also heading Stan James's market at 9-2.

Libranno was a winner at the meeting last year, and has been nibbled with Paddy Power, now 20-1 from 25. Trainer Richard Hannon is confident about the three-year-old's chances against older horses, though slightly concerned by his draw of stall one.

He said on his website: "Libranno if anything, is even better over six, and, though it is never easy beating your elders at this time of the year, he has done it once, though his number draw could well be a negative."

Other movers reported by Paddy Power at Newmarket are Striking Spirit in the 2.55, (9-1 from 11) and Spifer in the last at 5.55 (2-1 from 7-2).

Paddy Power commented on the move for Spifer, saying: "He looks to be a Luca Cumani handicap good thing and has been backed that way."

The ground for the final day of the festival has changed to good to firm, good in places after a dry night.

Clerk of the course Michael Prosser said: "We are expecting a much better day weatherwise, with sunny intervals forecast and temperatures of up to 21C.

"There is a 30 per cent possibility of a light shower this afternoon. It was dry overnight though we had a nice dew this morning."