Cox excited about unleashing 'once-in-a-lifetime' Harry Angel in Duke of York

Trainer Clive Cox has hailed Harry Angel as a 'once-in-a-lifetime horse' ahead of the leading sprinter's return to action in Wednesday's Group 2 Duke of York Stakes, in which he will take on six rivals on the Knavesmire.

Harry Angel, who won the July Cup and Haydock Sprint Cup in a highly successful campaign as a three-year-old, was the highest-rated sprinter of 2017 and Cox has made no secret of the esteem in which he holds the son of Dark Angel.

Duke of York Stakes card and betting

Cox said: "He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse. He makes the heart race every occasion you see him on the racetrack.

"It’s a dream to have a top-flight horse. Last year he was the highest-rated six-furlong horse in the world. That’s an amazing accolade and I’m very proud to be in charge of him."

Watch Harry Angel blitz his rivals in the Haydock Sprint Cup

Harry Angel, who is owned by Godolphin, is a top-priced evens with Coral and Sky Bet to win the six-furlong contest at York, with the race-fit Brando expected to provide the sternest test.

Cox said: "We had a tricky spring and I think it’s fair to say this is a starting point. So I’d be pleased when he has got his first run under his belt. But he is in good nick and the yard is going well at the moment.

“He has done very well over the winter. He is turning up with a penalty because of his Group 1 success last year but I'm very happy with him."

In addition to Brando, Harry Angel will face Ornate, Perfect Pasture, Sir Dancealot, Tasleet and German raider Artistica.

There could be Oaks clues on offer in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes, the other highlight on the first day of the Dante meeting.

John Gosden, who has won the race for the last three years, is represented by Highgarden, who is one of seven declarations.

The last filly to successfully complete the Musidora/Oaks double was Sariska in 2009, but So Mi Dar – a sister to this year's Oaks favourite Lah Ti Dar – won at York in 2016 and was a leading fancy for Epsom before injury ruled her out.

York Wednesday card

Read previews and reports for every day of York's Dante meeting on racingpost.com