Notable Speech Supplemented for July Cup at Newmarket This Weekend

Connections Impressed by Weekend Gallop Performance

Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech has been supplemented for Saturday’s prestigious Al Basti July Cup at Newmarket following an impressive piece of work over the weekend. The 2024 2,000 Guineas winner will have his first attempt at six furlongs in the Group 1 sprint, representing a significant step down in distance from his usual mile campaigns.

A statement on Godolphin’s social media account confirmed the decision: “Following a very pleasing piece of work over the weekend, the decision has been made to supplement Notable Speech for the G1 July Cup.” The supplementation fee of £36,000 demonstrates the confidence connections have in their four-year-old’s chances against the sprint division’s elite.

Since making his debut on the all-weather in January 2024, Notable Speech has been campaigned exclusively over a mile, with his career highlight coming in last year’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. While he found things more challenging after that unbeaten sequence, he did capture the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, proving his quality at the highest level.

Market Reaction and July Cup Betting Landscape

This season has seen Notable Speech finish fourth in both the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, performances that suggested the mile trip might be stretching his stamina. The move to six furlongs could unlock improvement, particularly given his tactical speed and strong turn of foot.

The July Cup field is shaping up as one of the most competitive sprints of the season, with Flora of Bermuda currently heading the betting at around 4/1. Notable Speech joins stablemate Symbol of Honour in representing the Godolphin operation, with trainer Charlie Appleby seeking his first success in the race despite a 36% strike rate at Newmarket.

The timing of the supplementation suggests Appleby and his team have been monitoring Notable Speech’s progress closely. The decision to drop back to six furlongs represents a calculated gamble that could pay dividends if the horse’s natural speed can be effectively utilised over the shorter distance.