"We are looking forward to getting him back on track" - Vandeek fit to face Inisherin at Newmarket

A dual Group One winner as a juvenile last term, Vandeek could only finish third on his reappearance in the Sandy Lanes Stakes at Haydock. Simon and Ed Crisford's star was well-beaten by Inisherin, who was dropping back down to six furlongs after a strong effort in the 2000 Guineas.

Inisherin and Vandeek were due to meet in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month. Sadly, a negative blood test forced Vandeek out of the Royal Meeting, where Inisherin claimed his first Group One victory impressively.

Inisherin will now bid for a Group One double in the July Cup this Saturday, where he will square off against Vandeek again, after Ed Crisford provided a positive update on his stable star.

"We’re very happy." Crisford told the press. "James Doyle sat on Vandeek this morning and he went through the gears nicely and we’re all ready to go for Saturday. It was nice to get him back on grass after the rain and we couldn’t be more pleased with him."

"Obviously, we were disappointed to miss the Commonwealth Cup. At Haydock his blood picture was good but a bit later it wasn’t, which meant he had to sit out Ascot."

"The team are slowly coming back after being under a bit of a cloud. Like many Newmarket stables this year we’ve been slow to get going but happily Vandeek is back to full health now."

"It looks like an exceptional renewal of the July Cup, especially in the three-year-old division, but we are just looking forward to getting him back on track."

Bet365 make Inisherin their 7/4 favourite to win the 2024 July Cup, with Vandeek the 4/1 second-favourite. You can see the full betting and entries for the July Cup here on our website...