Sprint king Cox has another budding star in Coppull

Clive Cox showed he is a man to follow in the sprinting division once again as Coppull announced himself as a Royal Ascot contender with victory in the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes.

The son of Bated Breath won the Richmond Stakes at two before ending his season with an honourable third in the Middle Park at Newmarket in the autumn.

He reversed form with those ahead of him on the Rowley Mile here, first chasing down the front-running Ghost Mode, then quickening again to hold off Ed Walker’s fast-finishing 66-1 shot Midnight Tango to register a neck victory in the hands of Rossa Ryan. It was the same distance back to the eyecatching Division in third.

Having scored at odds of 7-2 he was cut to 12-1 by Paddy Power for the Commonwealth Cup itself back at Ascot in the summer – a race Cox has won previously with Golden Horde.

However, first he may make a trip to Haydock for the Sandy Lane Stakes on May 23.

Cox, who won this race two years ago with Jasour, said: “That was fantastic and it was good to start the year off with him like that.

“He was very pleasing last year and it was great to win the Richmond like he did at Goodwood. We took a bit of a sideways step in the Prix Morny, but finishing off in the Middle Park as he did was really encouraging.

“He’s wintered well, he hasn’t grown a lot taller but he’s got a lot stronger and matured mentally as well.

“I was really impressed with how he quickened twice there as he kind of idled a little bit but got going again. He battled back well and I’m really proud of him.

“We’ve had a good spring with him, but he’s bound to come forward for this and I’m pleased to see him start off like this.

“The Sandy Lane is a real possibility and a very logical step before coming back here for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.”