Venetian Sun, Satono Reve head blockbuster July Cup field

Royal Ascot heroine Venetian Sun and Japanese sprint star Satono Reve headline a high-class field of 13 for Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket, setting up one of the strongest six-furlong contests of the European season.

Karl Burke’s unbeaten three-year-old will attempt to become the first filly since Habibti in 1983 to win the July Cup after extending her perfect record over 1200 metres with victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

The field also features Royal Ascot winners Mission Central, Almeraq and Double Rush, ensuring the Newmarket feature brings together the leading sprint performers from the British summer carnival.

Japan will be represented by Satono Reve, the dual Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner, who reunites with Christophe Lemaire after chasing home Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize before travelling to Britain.

William Haggas has accepted with both Almeraq and Division, while Aidan O’Brien is represented by Mission Central.

The Group 1 July Cup, run over 1200 metres on Newmarket’s July Course, is worth £800,000 with Australian-bred sprinter Starspangledbanner winning in 2010 when trained by O’Brien.