Mill Stream, at 11-1, stayed on strongly to take the July Cup, sprinting’s midsummer championship event, beating Swingalong (22-1) in a driving finish to give local trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam only the third Group One win of her career. Vandeek, at 4-1, was third while Inisherin, the 11-8 favourite, was unplaced.
The race unfolded ideally for Mill Stream, who appreciated the easier conditions after finishing third – with Swingalong just in front of him – in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
William Buick settled the winner about three lengths behind a strong pace set by Art Power, before making steady progress to lead inside the final furlong.
Mill Stream carries the popular green, red and yellow colours of former trainer Peter Harris, and completed a four-timer on the day for Buick, who had earlier ridden Desert Flower, First Conquest and Ancient Truth to victory for his main employer, Charlie Appleby.
“We were doing cartwheels when it rained,” Chapple-Hyam said “as it just took the sting out of the ground midweek. I think that is all he needs.
“He’s never sparkling in his work, he just gets there but that’s him and as long as we know that, and William knows that, it’s fine, but he’s done it now, he’s got the Group One.”