Paco sprint bid unlikely

Trainer Richard Hannon admits it is "most unlikely" Paco Boy will contest Friday's Darley July Cup at Newmarket.Connections of the Queen Anne Stakes hero had been mulling a step back to six furlongs from a mile for the Group One feature and the four-year-old was among 14 horses left in the race at the six-day stage.However, Hannon concedes that with the Newmarket ground currently described as good to firm and a fine forecast for the coming week, Paco Boy is likely to sidestep the challenge.He told his website: "It makes sense to keep our options open, but the ground at Newmarket is good to firm with only light showers forecast for Monday and Tuesday and the prediction of predominately dry weather after that."It could well be lightning fast come Friday, and there is no way we would risk Paco Boy in those conditions."We will probably wait for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on August 9 - the extra half-furlong will suit us and the going is likely to be more favourable too."The handler also stressed he would have no qualms about returning to a mile with his stable star.He added: "The Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville is the following Sunday and also comes into the mix, while we have certainly not ruled out the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 29. He won the Lennox Stakes there last season."Royal Ascot winners Scenic Blast and Art Connoisseur feature among the confirmations for the July Cup, which also include Takeover Target, who is set for his first run in Britain this year.Mike De Kock's J J The Jet Plane bids to build on his Golden Jubilee fourth, while France's African Rose adds further international interest and Duff is the sole Irish challenger.