Clive Cox optimistic as Positive heads strong weekend team in Solario

Clive Cox is on the verge of his fourth consecutive half century of winners and could make headlines this weekend when he saddles the likely favourites for two of Saturday's big races.

The talented two-year-old Positive, who chased home Qipco 2,000 Guineas favourite Pinatubo at Goodwood last month, tackles the Group 3 Betway Solario Stakes, while Wokingham runner-up Tis Marvellous heads to Yorkshire for the Listed William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes.

Positive may have been beaten five lengths by Pinatubo on the Sussex Downs, but he had the remainder of what looked a particularly strong Vintage Stakes field trailing in his wake.

Cox, who has had 49 winners this season, said: “He took a big step forward at Goodwood and has pleased me since. The winner was hugely impressive that day, but Positive was clearly best of the rest.

"We’ve always held him in high regard, and he’s still developing and growing. He’s got a lot of scope and is an exciting prospect. He’s very much on course for Sandown.”

Tis Marvellous followed up his fine Wokingham run by landing a 19-runner handicap at Ascot last month, slamming Stewards’ Cup second Open Wide by two and a half lengths.

Tis Marvellous winning last year's Shergar Cup DashCredit: Getty Images

After the handicapper put him up 8lb to a mark of 111, more races like the Beverley Bullet could be firmly on the agenda.

“He was very impressive at Ascot,” Cox said. “He’s never run at Beverley before, but it looks the right race for him. He goes there full of confidence and should act on the track.

“It’s a competitive race, but if he replicates his Ascot performance he ought to have a good chance.”

Cox also revealed that Golden Horde, winner of the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood before finishing an excellent third in the Prix Morny, will bid for a breakthrough Group 1 success next month in Newmarket’s Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.

“He’s come out of the race at Deauville very well indeed,” Cox said. “We were proud of his performance on good ground in the Richmond and he ran another great race on heavy ground in France.

“He’s better on better ground, and the Middle Park is the aim.”

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