Golden Horde’s trainer Clive Cox could not be happier about the progression his three-year-old has been making. The Colt was one of the stars of this year’s bumper Royal Ascot, showing his class to take the Commonwealth Cup in style.
That was 22 days ago and he’s back in action at Newmarket in the July Cup at 15:35 today where he looks certain to set off as the favourite ahead of a competitive field containing Hello Youmzain, Sceptical, Threat and Khaadem.
And Cox told Paddy, Ruby Walsh and Frank Hickey on this week’s From the Horse’s Mouth podcast, which you can hear in full below, that Golden Horde recovered well from Ascot and is stronger than ever.
“The Commonwealth Cup was very special,” Cox explained, “It meant an awful lot.
“This year, being as strange as it is for everybody, going there first time out there was a little bit of tension and wanting to do the best by the horse more than anything, because he was pretty good last year winning the Richmond and Group 1-placed twice in the Morny and Middle Park.
“I was just really thrilled that he did what he did. He didn’t have a prep run because that would have meant carrying a penalty so going there first time we were thrilled.
“We were thrilled with the way Golden Horde came back – he only lost three kilos which was amazing really and he dives into his feed, he’s got a very healthy constitution.
“But we also have a few different routes that we’ve started to introduce with the older horses from middle this time of year, off round the woods and then back round the gallops a different way and just keep their minds mental approach to life really in tune.
“He’s thriving on it, he looks amazing and he’s a really happy horse.”
Turning to Golden Horde’s chances today, Cox was equally as hopeful for the future as he was pleased with past efforts and he thinks conditions are heading in the favourite’s direction today.
“I think there’s the utmost respect for all of these horses,” Cox continued, “But it’s a healthy 6lb in our favour and I think even as a three-year-old, horses are still developing and getting stronger all the time but this guy’s got a lot of strength for a three-year-old.
“He’s a bull of a horse so it’s going to be a big help – I hope the ground keeps drying back a little bit even though he produced a good effort on very soft ground in Deauville last year in the Morny. I think we’d all like as nice a surface as possible for the race really.”
Essential reading for this weekend’s racing
- Ruby Walsh And Paddy Power’s Best Bets For The Newmarket July Cup And Saturday’s Other Big Races
- 5 Fantastic Traders’ Naps From The UK and Irish Cards This Weekend
- Jason Weaver’s 9 Nifty Punts For Newmarket & Ascot On Saturday