Tag Archive for: Clive Cox

The Dragon King to continue in Middleham Park colours

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The Dragon King has been backed to help fill the void left by the retirements of Shouldvebeenaring and Marie’s Rock for owners Middleham Park Racing next season.

Both Shouldvebeenaring and Marie’s Rock have been standout performers for the leading syndicate in recent years with the former a consistent presence in the top sprint races and Marie’s Rock a dual scorer at the highest level over obstacles, winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022.

The Dragon King was slated to head to the sales later this month having come from last to first to claim the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes.

However, he has been withdrawn from the sale and will continue to don the blue and orange silks of Middleham Park next season, with connections hopeful he will develop into a handy sprint performer.

“He was removed from the sale and at the time there were two sides to the coin and you wondered if it was the right time to cash in, but he’s out of the sale now and we will look forward to next year with him,” said Middleham Park’s Tom Palin.

“There was the six-furlong Listed race at Doncaster we were thinking about for him, but it’s just a little bit soft and he’s done silly things this year, so we will put him away and come back next year.

“James’s Delight is another son of Invincible Army of (trainer) Clive (Cox)’s to do well at three and if he could replicate his progress, that would be kind of what we’re hoping for.

“He’s still 10lb shy of Shouldvebeenaring and those type of horses and it was a shame to see ‘Ringer’ go, but he’s been a grand servant.

“It was a tough weekend and for Shouldvebeenaring and Marie’s Rock both to go in the space of a weekend, they have been champions for Middleham Park and to retire them both, they are going to be hard to replace.”



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Ghostwriter out to end O’Brien’s Irish Champion monopoly

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Ghostwriter is in “excellent form” ahead of taking his place amongst a high-class cast of eight for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half the field in a race he has won five years on the bounce, with his two most recent winners, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg, joined by Irish Derby hero Los Angeles and outsider Hans Anderson, who is anticipated to take up his usual pacemaking duties.

However, there is also a strong British challenge this year, fronted by William Haggas’ Economics, who confirmed the promise of his impressive Dante victory in Deauville’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.

Economics is one of three British contenders for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes
Economics is one of three British contenders for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

Joining Economics on the journey across the Irish Sea is Clive Cox’s admirably consistent Ghostwriter, who finished fourth in both the 2000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club before claiming minor honours behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International Stakes.

O’Brien’s all-conquering son of Justify misses this assignment as he tunes-up for Breeders’ Cup action later in the autumn and although there is still a formidable Ballydoyle contingent for Ghostwriter to face, his handler is happy with his contender heading into the feature event.

“Ghostwriter is on his way over to Ireland as we speak and I’m really pleased with him,” said Cox.

Clive Cox will saddle Ghostwriter in Ireland on Saturday
Clive Cox will saddle Ghostwriter in Ireland on Saturday (John Walton/PA)

“He’s in excellent form and has come back really happily from York, where he ran a blinder. Hopefully conditions remain on the good side in Leopardstown.

“Better ground will play to his strengths and that is why we are very much looking forward to be heading over.”

Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme completes the trio of British raiders, while Japan’s Shin Emperor has made the journey from the Far East to take part in this Group One event, with Yoshito Yahagi’s colt set for an anticipated tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month.



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Haydock and Curragh on Cox’s shortlist for Jasour

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Clive Cox is looking forward to getting Jasour back on track, with the speedster making good progress in his recovery from the gallops accident that put him on the sidelines.

The pacey son of Havana Grey – who won the July Stakes at two and placed in the Commonwealth Cup this term – was due to drop back to five furlongs for the King George Stakes at Goodwood having been supplemented into the Group Two event by connections at a cost of £20,000.

However, he suffered an untimely injury while completing his final pre-race preparations which saw him miss the contest.

Jasour is now on the comeback trail and being readied for a return to the racecourse next month where he has the option of dipping his toe over the minimum trip in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on September 15, or sticking at six furlongs for Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup on September 7.

“The mishap he had before Goodwood was unfortunate, but he’s in good order and I’m pleased to say he is back in good form,” said Cox.

“He has an entry in the Haydock sprint and also in the Flying Five in Ireland and we will feel our way forwards from there depending on the forecast.

“He’s proven over six furlongs and we’re pleased to have that option (at Haydock), but we also have the entry in the Flying Five as well.

“I’m very happy he has trained through the last week and I’m looking forward to wherever he ends up running next.”

Cox also has lofty ambitions for James’s Delight this autumn after the consistent performer narrowly missed out on a hat-trick in the Prix de Meautry at Deauville.

The son of Invincible Army has been climbing the sprinting ranks this term and has already registered four victories in a profitable season.

Tried in group company for the first time since blowing out over further in the Greenham, he proved he is not out of place at that level over sprinting distances and with cut in the ground no issue, his stock could continue to rise as the weather turns in the concluding months of the season.

“He has come home safe and sound and it was a big effort in Deauville on testing ground,” continued Cox.

“We will see how he is but we still have some exciting targets to look forward to on autumn ground.

“He’s proven on that surface, but more importantly he is backing up a very consistent number of runs at the highest level.”



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Ghostwriter could be Leopardstown-bound next month

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The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes is “under consideration” for Ghostwriter, as connections consider all options following his excellent effort behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Clive Cox’s son of Invincible Spirit is yet to add to his success as a juvenile this term, but has not let his connections down in four high-class performances in the best of company.

After brave efforts on unsuitably soft ground in both the French Derby and when third to City Of Troy in the Coral Eclipse, he got the chance to rematch Aidan O’Brien’s superstar son of Justify on a preferred quicker surface on the Knavesmire.

Ghostwriter (left) has faced off against City Of Troy on three occasions this term
Ghostwriter (left) has faced off against City Of Troy on three occasions this term (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

Although unable to turn the tables, he ran with real credit to finish on the podium in a race that smashed Sea The Stars’ 10-furlong course record.

Owned by Jeff Smith, the Ghostwriter team are still to completely pin their colours to a particular mast preferring to take stock and consider all options.

However, it appears he will remain at 10 furlongs for his next start, meaning a trip to Leopardstown during the Irish Champions Festival will come into the equation and, although an all-star cast is probable in Dublin, Breeders’ Cup-bound City Of Troy is unlikely to be involved.

Clive Cox was delighted with the performance of Ghostwriter at York
Clive Cox was delighted with the performance of Ghostwriter at York (John Walton/PA)

“We were very pleased with the performance and it was nice to see him have the chance to run on his preferred ground,” said Cox.

“It was an amazing race and I was very pleased with his performance. He’s run a super race and I think he confirmed 10 furlongs is his trip at the moment.

“I’m pleased with the way he has come out of the race and we will give him another week to see where we are and speak with Jeff and plan our way forwards from here according on ground really.

“He’s in the Irish Champion Stakes and that is a race under consideration and we just have to see how he is in the time being, along with the weather.”



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Diligently does it for Clive Cox again in big sales race

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Diligently swooped in the final strides to register a 22-1 surprise in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes at York.

All eyes were on Arizona Blaze in the richly-endowed sales heat, with Adrian Murray’s Irish raider having finished third in the Group One Phoenix Stakes earlier this month.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite, he raced prominently for David Egan and looked to have sealed victory when he assumed control of the six-furlong contest inside the distance.

However, Diligently was on the leader’s heels for Rossa Ryan and delivered a finishing flourish on the far side with the line in sight.

Clive Cox’s charge had not won in five previous starts, but came good on the big day, prevailing by a head to secure the £249,908 first prize and deliver successive wins for his trainer following Dragon Leader 12 months ago.

“It was enormously satisfying to win Harry’s (Beeby, the late chairman of Goffs) race last year, he was a very special person to me and to win it two years running is amazing,” said the Lambourn trainer.

“He’s a very nice horse, especially with his pedigree (son of Harry Angel), that makes it all the more pleasing.

“He was one of those horses I wanted to run over five furlongs just to put his brain into gear. I thought he’d run well at Sandown last time, but he got absolutely murdered down on the rail and that’s why he finished nine lengths behind.

“He clearly put that result well and truly behind him today with a very satisfying reward. He’s got a wonderful mind and it’s really pleasing that he’s got a bit of scope to go on next year as well.

“It’s always a step-by-step process, but I’m really pleased that he’s confirmed he is what I hoped he might be.

“He cost a bit (£100,000), but he’s made up for that investment today and hopefully he’ll continue to progress as well.”

Adrian Murray said of Arizona Blaze: “He looked home and hosed, but he ran a blinder, we’re delighted with him.

“He looked like he had it 200 yards out, but the winner came very late at him, had he come at him sooner we might have hung on.

“We were a little bit slow out of the stalls, it probably cost us a length and David said it probably cost us the race.

“It will be back into Pattern company now, I think Kia (Joorabchian, owner) is anxious to go to America with him for the Breeders’ Cup.”



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Kerdos camp turn sights to Curragh target

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Kerdos will turn his attention to the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh after connections decided to swerve York.

The son of Profitable held an entry in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on the Knavesmire on Friday, but was taken out at the confirmation stage with trainer Clive Cox preferring to try his luck in Ireland.

The four-year-old had Royal Ascot winner Asfoora behind him when he won the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock.

But the Australian speedster gained revenge at the Royal meeting when she came home to win the King Charles III Stakes with Kerdos back in fifth, three and a quarter lengths in arrears.

Kerdos was then only beaten two lengths when they renewed rivalries in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, where Big Evs held Asfoora by a short head.

Cox is wary of firmer ground predicted for York and has opted for a trip to the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.

Cox said: “He will be heading for the Flying Five in Ireland.

“He’s in good form, but with the ground being on the quicker side we’re taking that route. We want to avoid the ground being on the quicker side at York.

“We’re very happy with him, but we’d like to put our thoughts behind the Flying Five in Ireland.”



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Cox wants dry spell ahead of Ghostwriter’s International bid

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Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter is gearing up to take to the Knavesmire in the Juddmonte International at York.

The Invincible Spirit colt was unbeaten at two and followed up on that promise when fourth in the 2000 Guineas on his first start as a three-year-old.

Fourth also in the Prix du Jockey Club, France’s answer to the Derby, the bay then took his chance in the Coral-Eclipse and ran a fine race to finish third behind City Of Troy when beaten two lengths.

Al Riffa was the other horse ahead of him, a subsequent German Group One winner, and Ghostwriter will be tested again at the same level when he lines up for the Juddmonte International next week.

“I think we were close enough last time that it keeps us hopeful that we can run a similar sort of contest,” said Cox.

Cambridgeshire Meeting – Day Three – Newmarket Racecourse
Ghostwriter winning the Royal Lodge last year (Tim Goode/PA)

“The rain that fell the night before at Sandown would’ve taken a little bit of impact from our performance, so I hope that we can look forward to coming up to York on some nice ground.

“He’s a horse that we’ve been pleased with his progress. Unbeaten at two and so far this year he has run with huge credit.

“Stepping up to a mile and a quarter, he ran very well in the Eclipse against City Of Troy and also Al Riffa, who franked the form yesterday with his Group One success in Germany.

“We bring a good level of form and we’re very much hoping the ground remains drier rather than wetter from his point of view. I’m happy he’s had a good timeframe from his last run to here and he continues to please me with his development, progress and work at home.

“He’s in really good order – I’m very happy. We know him really well now and he’s the sort of horse that we have a great routine at home with. Hopefully, that will see him come up to York in good form.”

Betfred Temple Stakes Day – Haydock Park Racecourse – Saturday 25th May
Kerdos after winning the Temple Stakes (Nigel French/PA)

Cox may also be represented in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on the Friday of the meeting, as Kerdos could line up in the five-furlong Group One.

The horse was fifth behind Big Evs in the King George Qatar Stakes, beaten two lengths, when last seen but will conversely need cut in the ground if he is to take his chance in the Nunthorpe.

Cox said: “He’s a sprinter that’s building in strength and confidence as we go forward. After winning the Temple earlier in the year, I’m absolutely certain he’s going to continue that winning trail before too long.

“He ran really well at Goodwood, especially as he shouldered a Group Two penalty. We were very pleased with that performance. He’s come out of the race in very good order.

“The ground was quick enough for him at Goodwood and we are not a definite runner yet (at York). We will be watching the forecast. Hopefully we’re getting drier ground for Ghostwriter – we would appreciate any rain for Kerdos.”



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Jasour making good progress after being forced out of Goodwood

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Clive Cox has issued a positive bulletin on Jasour following the gallops injury that ruled him out of a shot at the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

The three-year-old was poised to drop back to five furlongs for the Group Two event having been supplemented into the contest at a cost of £20,000.

However, he suffered an untimely setback while completing his final pre-race preparations in Lambourn on Wednesday which saw him cruelly sat on the sidelines as Big Evs sprinted to victory on the Sussex Downs two days later.

“It was a very unfortunate situation but I’m very pleased it has gone the right way, and over the last 24 hours especially it has improved a lot,” said Cox.

“It was really bad timing for something of that nature to happen and we are looking forward to things carrying on continuing as normal I hope over the next week. It has responded favourably.”

Jasour holds an entry for both Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes over six furlongs on September 7 and the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh a week later over the minimum distance.

Cox is still to decide which direction his colt may head next, while it is also too early to say if connections would consider a second supplementary for the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month.

Clive Cox was hoping to saddle Jasour at Goodwood
Clive Cox was hoping to saddle Jasour at Goodwood (John Walton/PA)

“Let’s see how he is,” continued Cox, when asked about future plans.

“He is in the Haydock sprint and the Flying Five, but we will just see how the next week goes before we make any conclusions about which direction we’re heading in.

“I’m pleased he is responding favourably and if it keeps going that way we will have plenty of options open. We’ll see how things develop over the next week and that will clear our minds on the path and way forward from here.”



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Regional hunting Hackwood honours at Newbury

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Ed Bethell’s Regional is out for vindication after missing the July Cup in favour of the Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

The six-year-old hit the ground running this season, finishing second in the Greenlands Stakes when beaten just three-quarters of a length on his return in May.

He then stepped up to Group One level in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he nearly came out on top when second by a length to the Australian challenger Asfoora.

The July Cup at Newmarket was identified as his next target, but the ground came up softer than ideal after a spell of rain and connections made the choice to bypass the race and hold out for Group Three honours at Newbury.

Warm weather in the run up to the meeting has left conditions good at the track, and Bethell would welcome any more sunshine ahead of his stable star’s performance.

Betfair Sprint Cup Day – Haydock Park
Regional winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock (Tim Goode/PA)

“He’s really well, absolutely fine, hopefully it’ll end up good, quick ground and he can take his chance,” the trainer said.

“Fingers crossed he runs a nice race, he’s against some three-year-olds that look quite smart.

“He’s a great performer, a yard legend, so hopefully he can turn up and get his head in front.”

Proven top-notcher Diligent Harry represents Clive Cox, although stablemate James’s Delight misses out due to the quick ground.

Diligent Harry made a flying start to 2024, claiming back-to-back Listed wins on the all-weather before finishing an excellent third in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan.

The six-year-old then ran last weekend’s July Cup hero Mill Stream to a neck when third in the Duke of York Stakes, before putting in a rare below-par run when finishing down the field in the King Charles III.

With his charge stepping back up in trip but down in class for this weekend’s six-furlong Group Three, Cox is hopeful Diligent Harry can get back on the winning trail.

“Ascot is Ascot, but he is a pretty reliable performer and he’s a horse with an opportunity to run at Group Three level, having contested Group One and Group Two races admirably in the first half of the year,” said the Lambourn-based trainer.

“We’re very happy he’s in good order and his form sits right up there if you look at his run in the Duke of York, and his run at Meydan previously was very good as well.”



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Cox feels there is more to come yet from Jasour

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Clive Cox is keen to keep his options open with Jasour following his run in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Winner of the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot on his three-year-old debut, the Havana Grey colt went on to place third in the Commonwealth Cup itself at the Royal meeting before taking on his elders for the first time on the July course.

Tackling the same course and distance over which he won the Group Two July Stakes last year, Jasour looked set to play a major role after being delivered with his challenge inside the final furlong before faltering close home, finishing sixth.

Cox feels his charge was far from disgraced in being beaten three lengths and believes there is still room for some improvement in his game, as he aims to secure a Group One win in the coming months.

“He ran a very brave race considering that he pulled quite hard and didn’t give himself an easy time through the race,” said the Lambourn-based trainer.

“I’m thrilled that he’s come out of it very well indeed and I’d just like to give him a week before we decide where we go next.

“He wasn’t beaten far in one of the most competitive sprints of the year, with the older horses taking on the younger horses as well.”

While he has already ruled out a trip France next month for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, Cox is considering options in Britain and Ireland.

He added: “The Maurice de Gheest isn’t on the agenda. He’s in the Sprint Cup (at Haydock), but we’ll just feel our way and see how he is.

“There’s Ascot on Champions Day (in October), but the ground does have a bearing on that as well, and he’s in the Flying Five as well in Ireland, so we do have options.

“I’m pleased that he’s come back from Newmarket really well and I’m still hopeful that we can fine-tune his performance.”

Magic Mild impressed at Newmarket last week
Magic Mild impressed at Newmarket last week (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Cox did enjoy a winner at the July Festival, with Magic Mild opening her account at the third attempt in impressive style on Thursday.

An encouraging third on debut, the filly disappointed when stepped up to Listed class in the Marygate at York, but showed her true colours at Newmarket ahead of another planned rise in grade.

“That was a really nice win,” said Cox.

“She showed promise with an excellent debut run on the Rowley Mile and we don’t know why she didn’t perform at York, so I was pleased that after a backwards step she was convincing in that well-prized maiden at Newmarket last week.

“I think she warrants going back into a stakes race and we’ll just see how she is. I’m pleased that she’s moved well and been in good form since she’s come back, so the Princess Margaret (at Ascot) might be an option, all dependent on her well-being in the meantime.”



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Bethell harbouring Hackwood hopes for Regional

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July Cup absentee Regional is set to be rerouted to the Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, provided conditions are suitable.

Having filled the runner-up spot behind Australian raider Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, last season’s Sprint Cup hero was due to step back up in distance at Newmarket, but was declared a non-runner on Saturday morning due to the rain-softened ground.

The official going at Newbury was described as good to soft, soft in places on Tuesday morning following over 16 millimetres of rain on Monday – but with the weather due to improve ahead of the weekend, trainer Ed Bethell is hopeful he will be able to run his stable star.

“I thought it was going to be on the easy side of good for the July Cup, which all the jockeys said it was, and I thought it was probably best for us to take our time and have a look at this race,” Bethell told Sky Sports Racing.

“Obviously they had rain yesterday, but it looks a very drying week, so hopefully we get a bit of good/good to firm ground on Saturday.

“It was a huge run (at Royal Ascot). It looked like he wanted six furlongs and a flat six like this at Newbury should play to his strengths.

“I’m really looking forward to running him. He’s been a great horse for all of us, so fingers crossed the ground dries out enough for him.”

Regional is the 3-1 favourite for the Hackwood Stakes with Coral, who rate the three-year-old pair of Elite Status and Lake Forest his biggest threats at 100-30 and 4-1 respectively.

Elite Status impressed in the Carnarvon Stakes over the course and distance on his latest outing, while Lake Forest was last seen finishing second to the impressive Inisherin – fifth as a hot favourite for the July Cup – in the Commonwealth Cup at the royal meeting.

Bethell added: “The three-year-olds are definitely worth worrying about, but at the same time Mill Stream and Swingalong took them on at Newmarket and beat them. Whether there was a bit of a track bias in that race I’m not sure, but we’ve got the form in the book and fingers crossed we can run a big race.

“He seems in good nick and I’m looking forward to it, but under no illusions that it’s going to be a hard race.

“I’m looking forward to having a go back over six furlongs in the Hackwood and we’ll probably be back on to the Sprint Cup after that.”

James's Delight (centre) winning at York
James’s Delight (centre) winning at York (Nigel French/PA)

Clive Cox could saddle both James’s Delight, a Listed winner in France earlier in the month, and Diligent Harry, who ran a rare disappointing race when down the field in the King Charles at Ascot.

“Apparently they had 16 millimetres of rain at Newbury last night, but we’ve got some very high temperatures coming later in the week,” said Cox.

“James’s Delight would appreciate an easier surface and it could just be suitable for both horses with the drier forecast for the end of the week.

“We’re very much taking it day by day, as is the case with a lot of horses at the moment, with the weather being so unpredictable.”



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Jasour camp want no more juice in July Cup ground

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Clive Cox is hoping for a drier end to the week ahead of Jasour’s My Pension Expert July Cup bid at Newmarket on Saturday.

The grey has come out in good form this term, winning the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot, also known as the Pavilion Stakes, on his seasonal debut in May.

He then returned to the track to contest the Commonwealth Cup itself at Royal Ascot, where he was a 4-1 chance under Jim Crowley in a field of 14 competing for Group One honours.

Jasour finished third on that occasion, beaten two and a half lengths by Inisherin, who is also due to line up in this weekend’s sprint highlight.

Ascot Races – Wednesday May 1st
Jasour winning the Commonwealth Cup Trial (Adam Davy/PA)

The going at Newmarket was soft, good to soft in places as of Wednesday morning following 29 millimetres of rain in the space of 24 hours, but the forecast is presently dry closer to the race and Cox is keeping his fingers crossed that remains the case.

“I hope it stops raining, hopefully the forecast looks a little bit drier for the weekend,” he said.

“He showed a liking for the track last year in the July Stakes, which bodes well ahead of this race.

“We’ve been very pleased with his progress this year, with his success in the Pavilion before being third in the Commonwealth Cup.

“This looks to be the right race for him, so hopefully things dry up before the weekend.”



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Clive Cox sets out International mission for Ghostwriter

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Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter is pencilled in for the Juddmonte International after pleasing with a third-placed effort in the Eclipse on Saturday.

The Invincible Spirit colt was unbeaten as a juvenile in a season that culminated in Group Two success in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

He began his three-year-old campaign in the 2000 Guineas at the same track, where he ran with credit to finish fourth before heading to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club.

There he was fourth again on heavy ground, proving his stamina and lining up a bid for the Eclipse at Sandown last weekend.

Derby hero City Of Troy was the headline act in Esher as the 1-4 favourite, with Ghostwriter a 12-1 shot under Richard Kingscote in a field of six.

The Coral Summer Festival – Coral Eclipse Day – Sandown Park
Ghostwriter (second left) coming home in the Coral-Eclipse (Zac Goodwin/PA)

City Of Troy came out on top with a workmanlike victory, but he was pressed by both the runner-up, Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa, and Ghostwriter, who was beaten two lengths in third.

Cox was heartened by the run and is now looking towards the Juddmonte at York, where he hopes the horse will encounter some quicker ground after Sandown came up soft.

“We were thrilled, for one moment at the furlong pole we thought he was going to go and get it,” the trainer said.

“He ran a super race and it was very pleasing, bearing in mind that we all feel he’ll be better still on better ground.

“In spite of that it was a really honest and solid performance and it confirms our belief that he’s a horse for this level.

“I’m really pleased that he’s come out of the race well, he’s back home safe and sound, he’s very pleased with himself and we’re very pleased with him.

“York would be the logical step from here, hopefully there we’ll find his preferred dry surface.”

On the same day another horse brought prize money back to the yard as James’s Delight landed the Listed Prix Kistena at Deauville.

The three-year-old, who is owned by Paul and Clare Rooney, won a valuable sprint handicap at York in June and backed up that success with another when prevailing by a length and a half on soft ground in France.

“It was a really pleasing performance, he won really nicely in France on Saturday,” Cox said.

“Similarly he has come home really well, it was Clare Rooney’s birthday which made it all the more special on the day.

“We will just feel our way, he’s only been home a couple of days. His progress has been impeccable this season.

“We’ll decide after a few days what to do next, there are plenty of options available for him now he’s performed in Pattern company with such confidence. It’s great to see the progress he’s making.”



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Cox looking forward to Eclipse task with Ghostwriter

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Clive Cox is keen for Ghostwiter to take his place in a red-hot Coral-Eclipse early next month, as long as conditions at Sandown do not turn testing in the build-up.

With the sun finally emerging from its early-season hiatus and summer ground now appearing in going descriptions on a regular basis, the Beechdown Stables handler is excited to test Ghostwriter’s credentials in deep waters buoyed by his performance on unsuitable heavy conditions at Chantilly in the French Derby.

The Royal Lodge winner’s quality enabled him to finish fourth in that Classic assignment – beaten a little over three lengths – while he also performed with enormous credit prior to that when also fourth in the 2000 Guineas.

Derby hero City Of Troy and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch are just two high-class opponents Ghostwriter could face at the Esher track on July 6, where Cox hopes the son of Invincible Spirit can make his mark if competing on a sound surface.

Cox said: “Ghostwriter is in great form and worked really well on Saturday morning. As long as we don’t have soft ground for Sandown in a couple of weeks time, then at the moment we are hopefully heading to the Eclipse.

“The Guineas form keeps getting franked day by day and I do feel that his performance on the slightly easier ground in France would lead us to being quite excited about returning to a quicker surface over a mile and a quarter.

“It could be a very deep race but we are looking forward to it.”



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Cox keen on Inisherin rematch with Jasour

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Clive Cox is excited to head to Newmarket with his Royal Ascot third Jasour, where he could face a Commonwealth Cup rematch with Inisherin in the My Pension Expert July Cup.

Winner of the July Stakes as a juvenile, the son of Havana Grey has already advertised his suitability for the July Course at Headquarters.

Although he somewhat lost his way after securing Group Two honours at two, he has rediscovered his best this term and after winning at Ascot on Trials day in the Pavilion Stakes, was a highly respectable third on his return to Group One action at the Royal meeting.

Jasour (left) fought hard to try to catch Inisherin
Jasour (left) fought hard to try to catch Inisherin (David Davies/PA)

Slowly away and then keen in the early stages, Jasour made eye-catching progress in the second half of the six-furlong event.

Having moved stylishly into contention, he did not quite have enough in reserve to chase down the impressive Kevin Ryan-trained winner, but Cox was pleased with the run and believes his colt can mix it with the cream of the sprinting crop.

“He ran a really nice race and there is still a bit of fine-tuning and work to do, but we are very much positive about the performance,” said Cox.

“I’m encouraged by the way he has come out of the race; the winner was very impressive, but I feel we can improve on our performance.

“He was very keen early, there’s no two ways about it, he was very fresh and well in himself and we have work to do. But you have to take encouragement – and the way he finished, despite his keenness, makes me very positive about finding the required improvement.”

He went on: “He’s shown an understanding with the track at Newmarket when winning the July Stakes last year and I’m very happy summer ground is what he appreciates.

“With three-year-olds having a very strong record in the July Cup, I’m very keen we follow that path.”

Cox was also pleased with the performance of Kerdos, who was a creditable fifth in the King Charles III Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting.

Kerdos was a winner at Haydock in May
Kerdos was a winner at Haydock in May (Nigel French/PA)

It was a display which backed up his previous win in Haydock’s Temple Stakes on easier ground and connections will continue to aim high with the improving four-year-old.

“He ran a really nice race and the quicker surface was probably the difference between the outcome there and the Temple,” continued Cox.

“It was a very solid performance and he has come out of the race really well. I think he can continue running in these good races and Kerdos and Jasour are two exciting horses going forwards – and I’m really happy with how they have come out of Ascot.”



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