Clive Cox is hoping that Golden Horde can return to winning ways in the British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on October 17.
The three-year-old is one of Cox’s top prospects but has just a single win from his last six starts.
Golden Horde was most recently third in the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock, having previously finished fifth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and third in the July Cup at Newmarket.
He did claim victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot back in June and Lambourn-based trainer Cox is confident that his sprinter will be competitive over six furlongs at the legendary Berkshire racecourse once again.
When asked if Golden Horde would feature in the British Champions Sprint Stakes during the latest episode of Paddy Power’s twice-weekly From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, Cox said: “Very much so – he’s in good order.
“He’s had a very consistent season throughout, winning the Commonwealth Cup at Group 1 level to begin with and running some wonderful placed efforts through the July Cup and Haydock Sprint [Betfair Sprint Cup] – and also in France.
“He’s a horse that we adore and he’s definitely the highest level.”
Cox is in a purple patch of form with Supremacy holding off Lucky Vega to win the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday while Isabella Giles was also victorious in the Rockfel Stakes last Friday.
The former National Hunt jockey-turned-trainer has heaped praise on the former and revealed that Supremacy will not run any more races this season, although the jury is still out on whether Isabella Giles will feature in the Fillies’ Mile next month.
“We’ve got all options open,” Cox said.
Recommended Reading:
- Clive Cox outlines his plans for Supremacy after Middle Park Stakes win
- Ruby Walsh: What sets Enable apart from Frankel and why John Gosden is such a brilliant trainer
“Obviously she only ran on Friday so we’ll be taking a very close look at her behaviour and well-being over the next week to be sure.
“If she doesn’t run again this year, she’s done absolutely nothing wrong and we couldn’t be more pleased with her. But the option is still available and if she is well and we think it’s a good idea, then we have that option to think about.”
Meanwhile, Cobh was third in the Royal Lodge Stakes behind New Mandate and Ontario so Cox believes there is more to come from the two-year-old.
New Mandate – a lovely prospect for @RalphBeckett
✅ G2 Royal Lodge
✅ Listed Flying Scotsman StakesA sixth win in the @JuddmonteFarms Royal Lodge Stakes for @FrankieDettori aboard New Mandate at @NewmarketRace
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf pic.twitter.com/9yiFAPrKO8
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 26, 2020
“It was a Group 2 place which was fine, but I think we’ve still got more up our sleeve with him,” he said.
“There wasn’t any confirmed pace in the race and he’s quite happy to make his own running. He could be heading for the Futurity Trophy [next month] – the entries close this week.
“He’s the first crop of Kodi Bear and [there is] untapped potential to be seen there.”
Read More:
- Sprint over to all the top tips and racing previews now
- Horse Racing: How to watch racing for free with Paddy Power
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
