Duke of York In the Bag For Dark Angel’s Harry Angel

[Wandering Eyes]

   Unbeaten everywhere bar Ascot, Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) made sure he will be primed for his next visit to Berkshire with an ideal warm-up in Wednesday’s G2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics S. at York. Again fractious in the stalls as is his wont and too free in the first part of the race, Godolphin’s G1 July Cup and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero was just too classy for his four rivals which did not include Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) after connections withdrew last year’s winner. Tanking for Adam Kirby in second initially, the 4-9 favourite cut loose approaching two out as Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Sir Dancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) threatened on either side and despite drifting left was always in command to score by two lengths from the former. “I’m really pleased with him, as we knew he’d be a bit fresh and he was for the first quarter,” his rider said. “When I pulled him out, he found top gear and finished off strong. I think he has definitely improved since last year–his mind has improved, as he is more relaxed now and does everything better.”
   Second to Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, that represented his third straight reversal there and sandwiched impressive winning performances in Haydock’s G2 Sandy Lane S. and Newmarket’s July Cup. Faced with testing ground when returning in the Haydock Sprint Cup, the bay slammed Tasleet by four lengths without any stress but it was another headscratcher as he dropped to fourth in the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint S. back at Ascot in October. Trainer Clive Cox was delighted with the way Harry Angel handled the long walk from the racecourse stables across the Knavesmire to the track which is a longstanding test of temperament. “All these sprinters need a run to get back into gear and I’m so pleased with the way he conducted himself–just the walk across here is the biggest test and mentally he’s really grown up,” he commented. “We know he’s good, but we just have to get him here. In the early days it was really tough, but we are reaping the rewards of that patience shown in particular by his then-owner Peter Richards–that is the foundation of what we have achieved now. It’s a team effort, as it’s been a long winter as it has for everyone this year, so I’m thrilled. I know he’ll come forward from today.”

HARRY ANGEL (IRE), 139, c, 4, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Beatrix Potter (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
2nd Dam: Great Joy (Ire), by Grand Lodge
3rd Dam: Cheese Soup, by Spectacular Bid
(£44,000 Ylg ’15 DNPRM). O-Godolphin; B-CBS Bloodstock (IRE); T-Clive Cox; J-Adam Kirby. £70,888. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 5-7f & MG1SW-Eng, 9-5-3-0, £733,126. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.

View the full article