Impressive Angel sprouts wings to destroy his rivals at Haydock

HARRY ANGEL demonstrated champion qualities to turn Haydock's Group One 32Red Sprint Cup into a one-horse race.
Harry Angel ridden by Adam Kirby wins the 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock Park.Harry Angel ridden by Adam Kirby wins the 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock Park.
Harry Angel ridden by Adam Kirby wins the 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock Park.

Heavy ground could not dent his speed, as the three-year-old quelled any fears about conditions with a performance out of the top drawer.

He had shown the course was not a problem when he won the Sandy Lane Stakes on firm ground and hit the big time with victory in the July Cup at Newmarket on good to firm.

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However, the rain-softened going was an unknown and connections of owner Sheikh Mohammed had only given the thumbs up to run in the six-furlong Group One showpiece less than an hour before the off.

But it was fully justified as the Clive Cox-trained colt put in an assured display to destroy the opposition under jockey Adam Kirby.

The favourite went on to score by four lengths from Tasleet, with The Tin Man a further length and a half away in third.

“I’m a believer in a proper champion can win on any ground, but he’s so fast I was a little bit concerned,” said the victorious rider. “It’s a great team effort and all credit to Clive. I knew he’d won as soon as he picked up.

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“He’s a machine. He’s got speed to burn and that’s not how good he is, he’s there now mentally and he’ll keep on getting better.”

The Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 21 will be the next target for Harry Angel.

Amongst the vanquished were Yorkshire challenger Brando who was among those to struggle on the ground.

However Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan and jockey Tom Eaves were on the scoresheed when Company Asset relished the rain-softened ground in winning the opening Fillies’ Handicap on the bridle.

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Jockey Oisin Murphy recorded a Group win for the third successive weekend courtesy of Chemical Charge’s last gasp victory in Kempton’s September Stakes at Kempton. The Canadian International at Woodbine is the target for the Ralph Beckett-trained and Qatar Racing-owned runner who finished with a withering late flourish.

Jump jockey Jonathan Burke – a top prospect before 18 months of injury hell – recorded his first winner since moving from Ireland to Britain when Western Miller won at Stratford for his new boss Charlie Longsdon.