Racing: Hills happy with Royal Applause

Barry Hills believes Royal Applause is no certainty to give him his first victory in the July Cup at Newmarket on Thursday despite the formbook saying otherwise.

"I am very pleased with the horse," Hills said. "It looks like he will have a very good chance but there are no walkovers - a Group One is a Group One."

In three starts this season Royal Applause has won the Cammidge Trophy, the Duke of York Stakes and the Cork & Orrery Stakes at Royal Ascot.