Priceless pair ready for Ascot after wins at Haydock
Double victory for horses trained by Clive Cox shows
CLIVE Cox will head to Royal Ascot next month with a spring in his step after a Group-race double at Haydock courtesy of Harry Angel and Priceless.
While Priceless might not even be the strongest contender from the Cox yard in the King’s Stand Stakes as he already houses last year’s winner Profitable, Harry Angel looks a colt destined for the top of the tree judged by his triumph in the Sandy Lane Stakes.
Already a Group Two winner last season, he made a pleasing return to action at Ascot attempting to give 4lb to Blue Point but this result was never in doubt when Adam Kirby hit the front after a furlong.
Despite racing keenly, the 5-6 favourite pulled an impressive four and a half lengths clear of the William Haggas duo, Second Thought and Mubtasim.
Cox has had some smart sprinters in his career, most recently Lethal Force and Profitable, but already rates Harry Angel in their league.
“He’s just very exciting and after the joy of having some very good horses the last couple of years, I really couldn’t believe our luck to have this guy,” said the Lambourn handler.
“He’s going the right way and that’s what I’m proud of. He’s a very special horse.
“The Commonwealth Cup (now as low as 7-2 second favourite behind Caravaggio) will, without doubt, be next for him.”
The four-year-old filly Priceless (11-2) repeated the victory of Profitable 12 months ago in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes in the same Alan Spence silks.
With Profitable now racing in the Godolphin blue, Kirby has a very able substitute in the King’s Stand if one of Godolphin’s retained riders take the mount on last year’s winner.
Kirby did not get drawn into an early duel with Take Cover and Thesme and hit Jim Crowley riding Sofia’s Rock wins the Amix Handicap Stakes at Haydock yesterday the front a furlong out before holding off Goldream and Alpha Delphini.
“She’s just getting better and better,” said Cox.
“Since we dropped her back to five furlongs she’s just improved and taken a step up.
“It will be the King’s Stand next, along with Profitable.”
Cox did not take the top training honours, though, as Mark Johnston saddled a Haydock treble, while he was also successful at Goodwood and Chester.
Yorkidding (3-1) firstly came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Amix Ready Mixed Concrete Handicap under Richard’s Kingscote.
Johnston’s travelling head lad Jock Bennett said: “Richard said he always felt he was getting there but she took a while to pick up.
“I’d have thought she’ll be going to Ascot (Ascot Stakes).”
Johnston and Kingscote quickly made it a double when Rusumaat (11-2) made all the running in the valuable Amix Silver Bowl.
Bennett said: “They never looked like getting caught. He’s threatened to win a nice one for a while and he keeps improving.
“I’d imagine next.”
Stablemate Sofia’s Rock (7-2) then made all of the running for Jim Crowley in the Amix Handicap, having previously been outclassed in the Lingfield Derby Trial.
David Evans snatched a valuable Listed win for his speedy filly Buying Trouble (14-1) in the Cecil Frail Stakes under Andrew Mullen.
“She’s tough. Dave was keen on her and he was right,” said Mullen. it will be the Britannia