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Fawzi Nass believes Krypton Factor will be a much-improved customer when he takes to the track again in next week's Darley July Cup.
Photo by Singapore Turf Club
It will be the first time the Bahraini sprinter will have raced on the Newmarket July course, although he has been based in the area for his preparation.
The experienced international traveller has not won since the 2012 Golden Shaheen but put in a fine effort in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, when third to Lethal Force under new jockey Luke Morris.
Nass said: "Krypton Factor looks well and is a lot fitter now. He needed the race at Royal Ascot as he had not run since March and he is the type of horse who needs a race or two to get to his top notch of fitness.
"We had to miss the July Cup last year because of the rain. Ground conditions are very important to him and he does not like anything worse than good. We tried him on good to soft at Royal Ascot last year and he did not enjoy himself.
"His training did not go smoothly early this year as he bruised his foot and that was bothering him for his last two races in Dubai, but he has overcome that now. I am hoping that his improvement in fitness and the different circumstances in which the July Cup may be run will mean that we can overturn Ascot form. Lethal Force was impressive there but he got an easy lead and the winning time was nothing special.
"The quicker they go the better for Krypton Factor - he will be ridden up with the pace as usual and hopefully Luke Morris will ride if Kieren Fallon is committed to Society Rock. He has never run at the July Course before, but we were lucky enough to get the chance to work him on the track last year and he seemed to handle it well."
Taking on Krypton Factor again will be American visitor Havelock, who was only 11th at Ascot. Darrin Miller's representative cantered on the track on Wednesday morning under the trainer's son and regular work rider, Chase, and will be partnered a week on Saturday by Frankie Dettori.
Chase Miller told Newmarket's website: "He didn't really get a run in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and we were thinking about going back home after, but he was just doing so good - he was doing great - that we decided to go for the Darley July Cup. He kind of told us he wanted to stay here. We'll give it one more shot and I think we are going into the race in far better shape.
"Frankie told me that (American) horses need two or three runs on a straight course and he's the kind of horse who just needs one time and the next time he won't mess up or be hesitant. We are confident going into the race."