JULY CUP: Home Of The Brave withdrawn

The Hugo Palmer-trained Home Of The Brave has been pulled out of this Saturday’s Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

It was somewhat of a surprise that Goldolphin decided to drop the four-year-old down in trip for the showpiece race.

However, following an assessment, Palmer has revealed that the colt was not 100% ready to compete in such a prestigious fixture.

“He is not quite right and would have needed supplements to run,” he said.

“He is probably at around 99% of his peak and while that sounds enough, to win a Grade One race you need to be at 100%.

“It was a tough decision, yet the only decision at the same time.”

Home Of The Brave’s sire Starspangledbanner won the July Cup in 2010.

Meanwhile, six-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon has announced his retirement from racing because of depression.

The former stable jockey of Sir Henry Cecil and Sir Michael Stoute rode 16 British Classic winners and also won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice.