Blue Point, Harry Angel set for clash

london — Exciting sprinters Blue Point and Harry Angel headline Godolphin’s nine contenders for day four of Royal Ascot on Friday.

Both three-year-old colts line up in the six-furlong G1 Commonwealth Cup (15.40hrs local time, 18.40hrs UAE time), with Blue Point (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), drawn 10 of the 12 runners, aiming for a second consecutive course and distance win after breaking the course record with a scintillating display in the G3 Pavilion Stakes on May 3.

Harry Angel (Clive Cox/Adam Kirby) was second behind Blue Point and the son of Dark Angel subsequently powered to a decisive four and a half-length success in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes, also over six furlongs at Haydock Park on May 27, when he too set a new course record. He exits from stall seven.

Charlie Appleby reported: “We have been very happy with Blue Point since he won the Pavilion Stakes and has been looking forward to this race.

“His preparation has been great and he has conditions to suit. He holds the track record and it should be a good burn up.”

Clive Cox commented: “I have been thrilled with the progress that Harry Angel has shown so far and couldn’t be more pleased with the way he looks at the moment.

“I think that he is still not quite the finished article mentally but he has certainly gone the right way and I believe that we can chisel a really fine edge on him with experience.

“We are very relaxed regarding the ground and it is great to be going to Royal Ascot in good form. He is giving me all the right impressions about his confidence.”

The Commonwealth Cup field also features unbeaten G1 winner Caravaggio and US challenger Bound For Nowhere.

Listed winners Best Solution (Saeed bin Suroor/Pat Cosgrave), eighth in the G1 Derby at Epsom Downs on June 2, and Wolf Country (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) run in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes (15.05 hours local time).

Best Of Days (Hugo Palmer/ James Doyle) makes his seasonal return in the 12-furlong contest following a progressive juvenile campaign that included a game victory in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in September. —