IT was a case of slim pickings for most British trainers given the success of Messrs O’Brien and Gosden in 2017. One handler who certainly covered himself in glory was Lambourn-based Clive Cox, who managed to keep a lid on the mercurial Harry Angel in a season which saw the
Godolphin colt maintain his unbeaten record away from Ascot. He gained landmark wins in the July Cup and Haydock’s Sprint Cup to prove himself the best six-furlong performer in Europe, for all a defeat in the British Champions Sprint saw his Ascot hoodoo unbroken, and ended his campaign on a low note.

Harry Angel promises to be as good at the minimum trip, and one of the few regrets of the season is that he and Prix de l’Abbaye hero Battaash never clashed.