Sanders likely to keep ride on Kingsgate Native in July Cup; ROYAL ASCOT FALLOUT.

Byline: By Jon Lees

SEB SANDERS is set to retain the ride on Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Kingsgate Native when he makes his next scheduled appearance in the July Cup - although trainer John Best thinks the colt is too short in the betting at 5-1 favourite.

Reigning joint champion jockey Sanders replaced the colt's established partner Jimmy Quinn at Royal Ascot on Saturday, a switch agreed between Best and owners John Mayne and Cheveley Park Stud, and rode Kingsgate Native to a 33-1 triumph over War Artist and Sir Gerry.

Best admitted the decision to change rider was "harsh" on Quinn, who had ridden Kingsgate Native to win the Nunthorpe Stakes last year, after the horse had been beaten into tenth in the King's Stand Stakes, but was the result of "a joint decision to try something else".

Victory has made Sanders, who will not ride again before tomorrow having aggravated an old injury on Saturday, first choice for the July Cup.

Best said yesterday: "I'd think it would almost certainly be Seb Sanders. It hasn't been discussed with all the people involved, John Mayne and Cheveley Park Stud, but I would expect that Seb will be offered the opportunity to ride the horse if he wants to.

"The horse is 5-1 favourite, so I can't believe he wouldn't want to be on him.

"I think 5-1 is actually quite short. I know he won well but everything fell right for us. We had the perfect draw. We had the right horses round us in that Takeover Target was there and able to take on the pace. I don't think it could have been much better for us.

"But 33-1 was a crazy price for a horse who had won a Group 1.

I'm not saying he should have been favourite, but he was available at 40-1 in the morning.

He did do the job well and I am sure he will run a great race in the July Cup. But I would have thought he should be more like 8-1 at this stage."

Best was notalonein recognising the impact of the draw in the Golden Jubilee, with the finish dominated by horses drawn one, two, three and four.

New Zealand mare Seachange, who finished 12th from stall 18, will be given a chance to show herself in a more favourable light at Newmarket - although connections are favouring the Falmouth Stakes rather than the July Cup.

Trainer Graeme Sanders said: "In New Zealand we would call it the 'visitors' draw'. She was just in the wrong place. I am reasonably happy with the way she has come out of the race.

We're leaving options open, but the Falmouth over a mile might be the better route."

Golden Jubilee third Sir Gerry cantered yesterday morning and is "in great shape", according to trainer James Fanshawe.

"A three-year-old won the Golden Jubilee and they've done well this year against the older horses," he added.

"I imagine he'll go for the July Cup. There are not too many choices over here at the moment."