'He's got a great chance' - Clive Cox excited about another sprinter named Harry

3.45 Lingfield
Ladbrokes 3 Year Old All-Weather Championships Conditions Stakes | 6f | 3yo | ITV4/Sky

With just a handful of strides before the first left-handed bend over this sprint trip at Lingfield, being allocated a low draw is historically preferable given the increased possibility of covering a shorter distance.

As much as early speed is also considered an advantage over this course and distance, the three winners of this race have stalked the leaders from gates five, six and eight, and pounced in the straight. Finding a front-runner drawn low hasn't been the defining factor you might have imagined.

It's impossible to rule out a similar scenario in this year's renewal. However, there isn't a plethora of forward-going types and that may pave the way for Mighty Gurkha.

If Hollie Doyle can use the Archie Watson-trained speedball's gatespeed to her advantage, cheating the draw and grabbing the lead could be the key to success.

The son of Sepoy, who has always shown professionalism well in advance of his years, will appreciate the return to a sharper track and posted a near career-best effort on his three-year-old debut in January.

Watson, who won this race in 2018 with Corinthia Knight, has clearly circled this race as the 103-rated Mighty Gurkha's target and therefore his 67-day layoff should be treated as a positive (2-2 record after an absence). He looks a leading player with few flaws.

On official figures his main threat is Apollo One, who recorded an impressive reappearance success over 7f here under an enterprising ride from Martin Harley.

He took off around the outside of the field and got the 'jump' on his opponents. A high level of tenacity and willingness to succeed helped him fend off Megallan close to home.

With just three starts to his name, Diligent Harry is perhaps open to the most improvement, especially given he made his debut only in January this year.

Rawness may catch him out, but he looks a colt on a sharp upward trajectory and may prove to be the Group-class three-year-old in the field.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Diligent Harry
He didn’t have his first run until January, so he’s been learning on the job really. He didn’t get the best trip around the home turn last time and I think he’ll benefit from that experience of running around Lingfield. With a five draw we hope he’ll get a better passage. We’re happy with him and he’s a very nice horse with size and scope and one who’s quite exciting to move forwards with. This is a big step up in grade but we think he’s on an upward curve and we hope can make his presence felt. We think he’s got a great chance.

Archie Watson, trainer of Mighty Gurkha
He’s in very good form at home. It’s competitive but we’re hoping he can run a good race.

William Haggas, trainer of Yazaman
He’s in good shape and will have the blinkers back on for this. He was drawn widest of all last time and we took the view that we would drop him out. He ran okay but never really got into the race. It looks as though he has a bit to find.
Reporting by James Stevens

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