Looming Angel

Turning the clock back to the June 23 G1 Commonwealth Cup, few would have imagined that Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) would occupy such an imperious position over his conqueror there Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) entering Saturday's G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot. That is the situation, however, with two scintillating performances to subsequently upstage Ballydoyle's great sprinting prospect. Readily reversing that form in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket on July 15, Godolphin's representative was electric in testing ground when accounting for solid older yardsticks Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) by four lengths in the Sept. 9 G1 Haydock Sprint Cup. Trainer Clive Cox has issued the formidable warning to Harry Angel's rivals that his stable luminary is at a peak now. “We were thrilled with his performance at Haydock and he came out of the race absolutely super,” he said. “We've got no concerns from a going point of view, which is great. I know a lot of people say a good horse will go on any ground, but finding that one is pretty difficult in my mind. We are very lucky. He was a baby to begin with, but I'm delighted that with maturity–physically and mentally–he has become the finished article. I have great respect for all the other competitors, but I would not be swapping Harry Angel for anything.”

Following his first career defeat in the July Cup, Caravaggio has redeemed some of his former lustre after finishing sixth in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 6 1/2 furlongs at Deauville on Aug. 6. That revival came in ground officially described as soft-to-heavy when winning the G2 Flying Five at The Curragh on Sept. 10 and it could be that the way this race is run will play to his strengths. “Caravaggio's in good form and everything has gone well since his last run at the Curragh, where we were delighted with him,” Aidan O'Brien said. “I'd say it is very possible it will be his last run. Obviously we are hoping it won't be too soft.”

Only seventh in this on much quicker ground 12 months ago, the 2016 G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup heroine Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) returns a far fresher filly having had just two starts this term. The latter resulted in a defeat of the Flying Five runner-up Alphabet (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) in the G3 Renaissance S. over this trip on soft going at Naas on Sept. 24 and trainer Karl Burke is hoping she can revive past glories. “Earlier in the season we were running out of time to get a prep run before Royal Ascot so we went to Haydock over five furlongs on quick ground,” he explained. “She ran perfectly adequately, but just before Ascot picked up a fracture in a pelvis and if you are going to pick up a fracture that's the least problematic. She was only lame for four or five days and I knew in the back of my mind we had the Renaissance S. if we missed the Sprint Cup, which was unfortunate as she'd have had her ground there, but Ireland worked out really well. I actually think she's a bigger, more mature mare this year. If it's anything good or softer she'll run very well.”

The Tin Man added the June 24 G1 Diamond Jubilee S. to his success in this contest 12 months ago and so appears a genuine track specialist. Something of a hit-and-miss performer this season, the James Fanshawe trainee was eighth in the July Cup and third in the Haydock Sprint Cup. “He ran very well in the Sprint Cup, I just feel he'd have liked slightly quicker ground than that,” his handler said. “But he's come out of the race really well. He worked nicely on Saturday and we've had this race in mind since Haydock. His demeanour is the biggest clue.”