‘Harry’ to miss July Cup: needs more time to recover

Godolphin’s Harry Angel will miss Saturday’s G1 Darley July Cup after trainer Clive Cox found time had run out on his attempt to get the Champion sprinter back to peak fitness.

The Dark Angel colt injured his leg in a nasty stalls incident at Royal Ascot last month and has been making good progress with his recovery.

“But I’m afraid he’s not going to make it in time for Saturday,” Cox said today.

“After reporting he had done well with the cut to his leg (healing), I feel he is still not 100% and won’t be ready. I couldn’t be confident at this level,” he said.

“You have to be at the top of your game to win a July Cup,” he explained.

“It’s only a blip...but it’s bad timing. The gap between Ascot and the July Meeting is short enough as it is. It’s a shame because he misses the chance to defend his crown at Newmarket.

“I need more time to get him be back to his very best. I feel that the Haydock Sprint Cup in September is a realistic plan for him,” he added.

Harry Angel missed the start of G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes by 20 lengths, losing all chance, after his leg became trapped on a ledge in the stalls.