Angel flies high for Cox to bring Caravaggio back down to earth

As birthday presents go the Darley July Cup is a pretty special one, even for a sheikh.

On his owner Sheikh Mohammed's 68th birthday, Harry Angel gained decisive revenge on his Commonwealth Cup conqueror Caravaggio to hand master sprint trainer Clive Cox and jockey Adam Kirby a second win in the July course's signature race, following the victory of Lethal Force in 2013.

Having settled much better than he has previously, Harry Angel was able to make the most of his undoubted talent to repel last year's winner Limato, leaving his jockey punching the air in delight and his trainer beaming with pride.

"There's not a long time between Ascot and here but our instinctive feeling had been very good and we came here very happy with him," said Cox. "I'm so proud he's delivered in the fashion we thought possible.

"It's a wonderful feeling to have a horse like this on our hands and I'm thrilled Skeikh Mohammed kept him with us."

Harry Angel was far from disgraced in a tremendous renewal of the Commonwealth Cup but key to turning the tables on Caravaggio, according to Cox, was his three-year-old's ever increasing maturity, along with the July Cup being run more to suit.

"I think he's become a man and he proved that today," said the trainer. "He was extremely well and a little bit fresh going into Ascot, and just when Adam wanted to get a blow into him there he had to ask him to go.

"It was an achievement that day to be beaten three-quarters of a length by Caravaggio and I'm very pleased we've taken his scalp today.

"That growing up is where we've seen the progress and improvement. With maturity he's becoming the finished article and I think today was pretty special."

The winner is quoted at between 5-4 and 7-4 for the Sprint Cup at Haydock, where he landed the Sandy Lane Stakes earlier in the season, with Cox indicating the race is now firmly on the radar.

Harry Angel is the latest Group 1-winning sprinter for Cox, with Lethal Force, Profitable, Reckless Abandon and Gilt Edge Girl having all claimed honours at the highest level – but the trainer was keen not to compare horses.

"All those sprinters were unique – Lethal Force was exceptional breaking the track record here – but to have one this good is very special again," he said.

"This is one of the nicest July Cups I've seen in my time and I'm very proud to have won it."

Asked whether he would ever consider travelling overseas with Harry Angel for races such as the valuable Everest in Sydney later this year, Cox said: "I'd say we have some jobs to do at home before we think about going abroad with him."

Kirby, meanwhile, could hardly contain his delight as he crossed the line and wore a smile throughout the entire post-race formalities that will surely leave his cheeks aching.

The win was the jockey's fifth at the highest level and he did not hold back in his praise for a horse who is yet to finish outside the first two in six career starts.

All smiles: connections celebrate with Harry AngelCredit: Mark Cranham

He said: "He proved how good he is today and I’m delighted. He’s a machine, the best you'll see for a long time. I truly believe that."

Darley July Cup result and analysis