Cox: Harry has a real edge as he bids to be angel again in Sprint

2.00 Ascot
Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes | Group 1 | 6f | 3yo+| ITV/RUK

Few horses have risen faster this season than Harry Angel, who is asked to crown his magnificent year by landing what appears to be one the strongest British Champions Sprint Stakes ever run.

A close second to Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot was evidence he belonged at the top table of sprinters he has since come to own with wins in the July Cup and Sprint Cup.

Having won on good to firm at Newmarket and heavy going at Haydock there does not seem a weakness to his profile, other than the ability to maintain such a high level of form right through a busy year.

"Most of the runners have been on the go all season, which is always a small concern," said trainer Clive Cox.

"But I’ve been very happy with the timescale between his races. He’s proven his ability on different types of going all summer and appears to have continued strengthening throughout the year.

"It’s just really nice to have an autumn target to aim at. He proved his form at the time of year when winning the Mill Reef last season.

"We’ve enjoyed a tremendous season, he appears to have a real edge on him and I’m very happy he goes there in good nick."

Is Caravaggio back to his old self?

A victory at Naas on his latest start suggested he might be, but that was in a Group 2 and he still has some convincing to do after he bombed out in France following a defeat in the July Cup.

That loss in the Prix Maurice de Gheest was blamed on poor traction, and new shoes appeared to make the difference at Naas for the three-year-old who stayed on powerfully to pip Harry Angel in the Commonwealth Cup.

“Caravaggio’s in good form and everything has gone well since his last run at the Curragh, where we were delighted with him," said trainer Aidan O'Brien, whose main hope emerges from stall 12, which has served up two of the last five winners.

"It might be his last race, and while soft ground won't be ideal it was testing when he won over five at the Curragh last time."

O'Brien also saddles three outsiders and said of their chances: "Washington DC needs things to fall his way if he's to make an impact while Intelligence Cross' best run this year was when a good fifth in the July Cup. Alphabet will need to step up but she does handle soft ground well."

Will conditions make all the difference for Reflection?

Karl Burke has been eyeing the weather forecast and smiling as every drop of rain falling at Ascot would appear to enhance the chances of Quiet Reflection.

Last year’s leading sprinter was not at her best in this race on good ground 12 months ago but, after a winning return to action at Naas last month, is set to get the ground she loves.

Burke said: “The rain seems to have worked in her favour. She’s proven that, while she’s got some pretty decent form on good, fast ground, she seems to handle slow conditions better than others.

“We’re very happy with her. She never lost her ability, she just couldn’t show it because she wasn’t right. But she looks fantastic, more mature now. She’s a bit lighter going into this race than at Naas, which is perfect. It’s a tough race but a great one.”

What they say

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Brando
He likes Ascot, finishing third in this race last year and second in the Wokingham. We experimented in the Foret last time but he didn’t stay, so it’s back to sprinting. He handles soft ground, although if it’s extreme it'll be in the lap of the gods. He likes to drop in and get a bit of cover and Tom [Eaves] can pick his route. He’s in great order and has done exceptionally well this year.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Donjuan Triumphant
He's been in very good form the last two starts and it was an excellent weight-carrying effort in fairly atrocious ground at Haydock last time. He's got a lot to find with the first three in the betting, but he'll love the rain that's fallen. He's in the form to give himself a chance of getting placed.

Dean Ivory, trainer of Librisa Breeze
It’s a very hard race, probably the best in ten years, with Harry Angel and all the rest in there. I like to think we’ve got a chance, but we’ve been unlucky all year and then you see what’s in the race and think, ‘Here we go again’. I'd prefer to be drawn higher than stall three and the ground will probably be too soft for him, but fingers crossed.

William Haggas, trainer of Tasleet
The favourite will be hard to beat but he's very well and should enjoy the ground. I think we've got a nice draw [five] and if he runs his usual race he should go well.

James Fanshawe, trainer of The Tin Man
He seems really well, looks really well and we’re all looking forward to it. It looks very competitive – more competitive than last year when he won it – but he’s got a good record on the track and Tom [Queally] gets on well with him.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Tupi
He’s had a solid season, winning a nice Listed race on the first day of the year and also adding a Group 1 placing at Deauville during the summer. The only thing that worries me is the ground as I know he's not as effective on anything worse than good.

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