Cox relaxed about Harry Angel having to face stalls test

Impressive July Cup winner Harry Angel must take a stalls test before he runs again, but trainer Clive Cox does not anticipate a problem and points out that his behaviour was good at Newmarket on Saturday.

A notice on the BHA website reported that Harry Angel was the "subject of a third criteria failure" and that he could not run until he had passed a stalls test.

More worryingly, for those without detailed understanding of the rules concerning stalls issues, it added that "this being the second occasion within the previous 12 months that Harry Angel had been reported, the stewards informed the trainer that if the colt were reported for a third time within the same period, he would be prevented from having a stalls test for six months" – in other words he would effectively be barred from racing for that period.

Fortunately, while Harry Angel does indeed have to pass a stalls test now, the situation is nowhere near as concerning as it might sound.

The 'criteria failure' is what trainers refer to as 'taking a ticket', which is the exemption they can seek when they want a horse who wears a blindfold to go in the stalls late rather than first, which is the normal procedure.

Clive Cox: 'Harry Angel's behaviour at Newmarket was perfect'Credit: Dan Abraham

Cox, enjoying a day on the golf course after one of the most satisfying afternoons of his career, explained on Sunday: "It's no big deal. We've just had to take a couple of tickets on him because of his bad behaviour at Goodwood last year, but it's not a problem. He's going the right way but we have to play by the rules."

He added: "Because he has a blindfold on the rules say he should be loaded first, but after Goodwood we had discussions with the starter and decided it was more logical and in everybody's best interests for him to go in last. That means taking a ticket.

"He has to have a stalls test, but it's something we've worked hard at and yesterday showed that we've done the job well. His behaviour at Newmarket [Harry Angel went in second last, blindfolded, and gave no trouble] was perfect.

"We're going the right way, and I don't foresee a problem. I don't know where he'll go for his test, but once he's taken it he'll be okay."