Ascot-bound sprint star Harry Angel to stay in training next year

Ace sprinter Harry Angel, one of the stars of the Flat season, is set to race on next year after bidding to sign off a stunning campaign with a Group 1 hat-trick in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.

Godolphin sprinter Blue Point, who beat Harry Angel in the Group 3 Pavilion Stakes on their first starts of the year, Caravaggio, the revitalised Quiet Reflection, The Tin Man and the last two winners of the Foret at Chantilly, Aclaim and Limato, are also in the shake-up for the £600,000 contest.

Owners Godolphin have opted to hold back on sending Harry Angel to stud, raising the possibility of a first clash with Prix de l'Abbaye winner Battaash, the only sprinter in Europe with a higher RPR this year.

After his Sprint Cup success at Haydock the prospect of the Clive Cox-trained colt racing next year was rated nothing more than an "exciting possibility".

But Sam Bullard, stallion manager at Darley, speaking at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales on Wednesday, said: "The plan is very much for Harry Angel to stay in training as a four-year-old.

"He hasn't got many miles on the clock and if he can continue to win races in the Godolphin colours it would be fantastic. He's a very relaxed horse now and hopefully he can run another nice race at Ascot."

Battassh: could clash with Harry Angel next seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Battaash has finished for the season, but Harry Angel has a chance to eclipse his RPR at Ascot on October 21, where he is set to meet Commonwealth Cup conqueror Caravaggio.

Cox hopes his star can make it third time lucky at the course as he bids to complete his Group 1 treble after victories in the July Cup and Sprint Cup.

Harry Angel is no bigger than 6-4 for the Group 1 after 25 stood their ground on Wednesday, including the 2016 Commonwealth Cup winner Quiet Reflection, who warmed up with a win in Ireland after an interrupted year.

Cox, also at Tattersalls on Wednesday, said: "I'm delighted he's staying in training. It's really exciting.

"He worked this morning and I was very pleased with him. He seems in extremely good heart for Ascot. He's on an upward curve and to win two Group 1s, as he has done this year, is very satisfying.

"We're going back to Ascot where he was beaten at the Royal meeting. But he's a much-improved horse since then and is quite relaxed. He's proven on any going and we're very much looking forward to the Champions Sprint."

Quiet Reflection: the 2016 Commonwealth Cup winner got back on track at NaasCredit: Caroline Norris

Cox does not believe Ascot is a bogey course for Harry Angel, explaining: "The first time he was making his reappearance and was quite revved up, having only the third race of his career.

"Then, in the Commonwealth Cup, he was so well that he ran a little bit too fresh. It was a very competitive race and Caravaggio was right on the day, but in the meantime I’d like to think we’ve taken a step forward mentally and physically."

But the trainer is not taking anything for granted as he looked at the top-class opposition: “It was great to see Quiet Reflection back on track last time, along with Caravaggio at the Curragh. Then there’s The Tin Man, whose best performances have been at Ascot – it’s his territory.

"I have great respect for all the other competitors but I wouldn't be swapping Harry Angel for anything."

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, card, form and betting

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