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Cox sure Orthodox was blunted by Morny ground conditions

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Mon 24 Aug 2026

Clive Cox retains complete faith in Orthodox despite his Deauville disappointment on Sunday, insisting the colt will return to his Royal Ascot best on better ground next time.

The son of Havana Grey, strikingly impressive when winning the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting in June, was only sixth of seven in the Sumbe Prix Morny in Normandy on Sunday.

Despite travelling well through the race, he found less than expected when Rossa Ryan asked him a question, eventually trailing home six and a half lengths behind impressive winner Senorita Bonita.

“He travelled kindly through the race, but when Rossa let his head go he just couldn’t act on it (ground),” said Cox. “Simply the ground was the chief ingredient which meant he didn’t mirror his Royal Ascot performance.

“Sadly we had a lot of rain in the beginning of the week and the ground was not bad enough that we thought we wouldn’t give it a go, but it was not to his liking and that was apparent off the bridle.”

Orthodox had been an intended runner in the Goffs Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in July, but those plans were abandoned after a slight setback in the build-up.

“He had a dirty scope so we didn’t have the perfect lead into this race, but I was more than happy with his well-being on Sunday. What I am pleased with is that he has come out of the race well so we will mind him for a few days now.

“I think different tracks and different days we will be happier on a drier surface than a wetter surface, but yesterday was very much its own recipe in that it was like quicksand off the bridle.”

Cox will be dictated to by ground conditions for Orthodox’s next race. He has entries for the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on September 19 and the Group One Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket a week later.

The Lambourn trainer will also be guided by ground conditions with Hungerford Stakes scorer Coppull after the three-year-old increased his options stepping up from six furlongs to seven successfully last time out.

“He was beaten less than a length in the July Cup over six and I was over the moon with his success in the Hungerford over seven furlongs and we have choices,” said Cox.

“The weather forecast will be the headline topic of our decision making.”

Coppull is engaged in the Group One Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock over six furlongs on September 5 and the Group Two Betfred Park Stakes over seven at Doncaster on September 12.

He also holds an entry in the Group One Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes over six at Ascot in October.

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Today's horse racing tips: Nap of the day and best bets for Sunday

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