Harry Angel could miss Darley July Cup defence

Clive Cox has hinted that star sprinter Harry Angel could miss the defence of his Darley July Cup after being injured in the stalls at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

The star sprinter was favourite for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, but his chances were scuppered at the start when his hind leg got caught in the stalls. He eventually set off well behind his rivals and trailed home more than 20 lengths behind Merchant Navy, beating only one of his 11 rivals.

Cox said: “It was nobody’s fault – it was just one of those things. When the stalls opened he was on three legs like a dog with his leg up.”

READ MORE: Seven things we learned from Royal Ascot 2018

READ MORE: Merchant Navy survives rough passage to win Diamond Jubilee

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE – What really happened in jockeys fracas at Goodwood

He added: “He was lame when he came off the track and improved overnight, but was still sore this morning.

“He has a cut on his hind fetlock, which is deep and on a joint. I’m relieved it is no worse than that, and not as bad as it seemed it might be when he came off the course yesterday.

The cut will need to be managed and we’ll have to mind the potential for infection to incur. The vets have flushed it and he’ll have a quiet week and we’ll see where we are before thinking about what happens next.”

Last year’s world top-rated sprinter is keeping an open mind regarding the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday, July 14.

He added: “You can rest assured we’ll be doing everything we can to rectify his confidence in the stalls and help with any anxiety he has with them.

“It is a bit early to say if he’ll be running in the July Cup, we’ll just sit on it for a week.”

With Harry Angel’s status in question, Genting Bet pushed the Godolphin-owned four-year-old out to 9-2 for the valuable 6f sprint, with Diamond Jubilee winner Merchant Navy favourite at 4/1, ahead of Blue Point, who shocked Lady Aurelia and Battaash in the 5f King’s Stand Stakes last week.

However, Newmarket could see runaway Coronation Stakes heroine Alpha Centauri take on older position in the Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes.

Trainer Jessica Harrington has yet to confirm a plan for the three-year-old filly who followed up her Irish 1,000 Guineas victory in tremendous style.

But she is not ruling out a return to Britain on Friday, July 13.

She said: “I don’t really know where she’ll run next, but I won’t run her on soft ground. She arrived home yesterday (Saturday) and she’s fine, she’s had a lead out and a pick of grass. She’s in the Falmouth, although whether that comes a bit quick, I don’t know.”
Speaking on Luck On Sunday, Harrington added that a trip to the Breeders’ Cup could also be on the cards.

She said: “The Breeders’ Cup Mile would definitely enter calculations as I know the Niarchos family (who own the filly) love the race, and wouldn’t it be lovely if the season went well if she stayed in training next year?”

Monday’s afternoon racing comes from Chepstow and Southwell, while the evening action is at Wolverhampton and Windsor.

Southwell stages a jumps meeting where Lotus Pond (2.15) bids to follow up Thursday’s evening’s runaway success at Ffos Las under a 7lb penalty. Peter Bowen’s 10-year-old is in the form of his life and would appear to be a handicap blot.

Monday’s Selections:

CHEPSTOW: 2.00 Don’t Cry About It, 2.30 Rippling Waters, 3.00 Rio Santos, 3.30 Telltale, 4.00 Jaalboot, 4.30 Jahaafel, 5.00 Climb Aboard

SOUTHWELL: 2.15 LOTUS POND (NAP), 2.45 The Wicket Chicken, 3.15 Free Stone Hill, 3.45 Artful Artist, 4.15 Stepover, 4.45 West To Crossgales, 5.15 Tickanrun, 5.45 Havisham

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.50 Barnaby Brook, 6.20 Gold Stone, 6.50 Jack’s Point, 7.20 Kaaba Stone, 7.50 Black Truffle, 8.20 Moqarrab, 8.50 Havana Breeze

WINDSOR: 6.10 Hedonism, 6.40 Swiper, 7.10 On A Roll, 7.40 Perfect Hustler, 8.10 Desert Path, 8.40 Contrive, 9.10 Kaanoon

Follow @Genting­_Bet who offer Best Odds Guaranteed on all UK and Irish racing daily from 12.00pm 18+ Gambleaware.org