All roads lead to York and the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. for Profitable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) following his creditable fourth-place effort in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday. The sixth furlong proved the undoing of Clive Cox's star sprinter, who will return to the minimum trip over which he has a 100% record this season with victories in the G3 Palace House S., G2 Temple S. and G1 King's Stand S.
“He's come back out of the race very well indeed,” said Cox. “It was a good performance. We were very pleased with him but clearly he is better over five than six. He still ran a very creditable race in what was an exceedingly hot race. He'll be heading straight for the Nunthorpe, but he's come out of the race well, I'm pleased to say.”
Cox felt the drying ground was the reason Kodi Bear (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) could not quite run up to his best in the G2 Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday. The 4-year-old, who has yet to hit form this term, finished sixth to Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) without being able to strike a blow. The 2014 G1 Dubai Dewhurst S. runner-up currently holds three entries at Goodwood, the G2 Lennox S. and G1 Sussex S. at the Glorious meeting later this month and also the G2 Celebration Mile in August, which he won in 2015. However, Cox is in hurry to make any plans at the moment.
“Probably conditions dried quite a lot at Ascot on Saturday, but he's come out of the race fine,” said the Lambourn trainer. “We'll take it a step at a time. We'll see how he is, but I'm pleased he's taken the race well.”
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