Mickael Barzalona has been handed the exciting spare ride on Australian hope Shamexpress in Saturday's Darley July Cup.

There has been something of a jockey merry-go-round for the mount after the sprinter's regular partner Craig Newitt decided not to return to Britain after their outing at Royal Ascot.

Danny O'Brien's colt was ninth to Sole Power in the King's Stand Stakes but his biggest victory so far has been at six furlongs, achieved in his most recent Australian outing in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore were both in the frame, but O'Brien said: "We've got Mickael Barzalona to ride him.

"He's going to come and have a sit on the horse on the July course tomorrow, and we're very pleased to have him."

Barzalona is looking for his first British Group One of the year, and Shamexpress is currently a 16-1 chance.