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Adam Kirby confident Harry Angel can lift Sprint Cup
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
By Andy Stephens
Adam Kirby believes Harry Angel has what it takes to follow up his Darley July Cup success in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday despite the prospect of rain meaning the showpiece may be run on a softish surface.
The last horse to win both races was Dream Ahead, in 2011, and Kirby is confident Harry Angel, quoted at a best price of 7-4 by the race sponsor, has the attributes to emulate him and in the process become the fourth successive three-year-old to land the £260,000 prize.
"I've sat on him since and he's in good nick. He's moving well and everything's good," Kirby told At The Races. "He'll be fine in the ground. He'll go through anything. In my eyes, he's everything you need in one. He's settled down now.
"He's still not had many races yet. We're looking forward to it and I'll let him do the talking - I think he's very good."
The Clive Cox-trained three-year-old, seeking to give Godolphin their first succcess in the race since Diktat triumphged in 1999, was among 20 possibles left in the race on Monday afternoon following the five-day confirmation stage.
The five horses who chased Harry Angel home in the July Cup - Limato, Brando, Caravaggio, Intelligence Cross and Growl - could re-oppose, along with dual Group One winner The Tin Man, who was a below-par eighth on his first run at Headquarters.
Caravaggio, the hot favourite for the July Cup, has since suffered another reverse and Aidan O'Brien has said the plan remains to run him in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. O'Brien still has four other possibles to shuffle - Cougar Mountain, Washington DC, Intelligence Cross and Spirit Of Valor.
Brando won in Group One company in France on his latest start and, very effective on a soiftish surface, will be favoured if the rain forecast to hit the track this week materialises. William Hill reported money for Kevin Ryan's charge and cut him to 9-2 from 5-1.
Charlie Hills' admirable grey Magical Memory is in the mix, while Hugo Palmer has left in Gifted Master and Koropick. Richard Fahey has three in the shape of Kimberella, Mr Lupton and Queen Kindly.
Charlie Appleby told Racing UK on Saturday that Godolphin's Blue Point, who was third to Caravaggio and Harry Angel in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, is on course to run. Completing the list are Tasleet, Tupi and Spiritual Lady.
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