Cox hopes Hackwood rivals sing to Clyde’s tune

Song Of The Clyde returns to the scene of one of his finest hours seeking another notable Newbury success in the Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes on Saturday.

Clive Cox’s son of Sergei Prokofiev was a real money-spinner for connections last term winning a valuable prize during York’s Ebor meeting and then being narrowly denied when attempting to swell the coffers at first Doncaster then Redcar.

He has continued to thrive this term, claiming the scalp of Aidan O’Brien’s well-touted Albert Einstein in the Carnarvon Stakes at the track in May, and having not been disgraced when swimming in deep waters at Royal Ascot, is now primed to attempt another career high.

Cox said: “He has shown good track form when winning the Carnarvon earlier in the year and he’s in good form so this feels a logical step.

“He didn’t run a bad race in the Commonwealth Cup and he was drawn on the far side but still ran a nice race there. Coppull (fourth in July Cup) displayed in last week’s July Cup that horses who didn’t have the best draw at Royal Ascot shouldn’t be overlooked.

“He was a good horse at two but I think he has matured physically this year and he is a joy to train, he’s very straightforward.

“He’s in excellent form and has shown a liking for Newbury so I have every reason to believe he’ll run another consistent race.”

Cox is doubly represented in the Group Three event at his local track, with Song Of The Clyde joined on the team sheet by Jasour.

Although without a win since May of 2024 and out of luck in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, his earlier runs this season were not without promise, with Cox inclined to keep the faith.

Cox added: “We still have total confidence in his ability but he has always just been a little bit too keen for his own good really.

“He’s been training nicely at home and I’m hoping things will still slot into place for him and when it does he’s a top-class performer.”

Soldier’s Tree was third to the winner of the Jubilee, William Haggas’ Almeraq, on his stable debut for James Owen at Salisbury and filled the same position when running with real credit in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot, again bumping into a high-class winner in Double Rush.

The Green Ridge handler is now keen to get a further gauge on the five-year-old’s capabilities, hopeful he can prove up to the challenge of a first Group-level assignment.

Owen said: “He’s run twice for me and stepped up from his first race for me to run a great race in the Wokingham.

“I think that experience of Royal Ascot won’t be lost on him and even though he’s five he’s a horse who is lightly-raced and is an improving sort.

“We were in two minds whether to run in the Group race at Ascot but went for the handicap which I still think was the right thing to do and his form is working out well.

“This is a nice next target which will help tell us a bit more about where we are and I’m hoping he can mix it in pattern company. For new owners in the yard it is nice for them to have a quality horse like this.”

The Wokingham form is further represented by Charlie Hills’ Mitbaahy and Haggas’ Binhareer who finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Meanwhile Charlie Appleby’s Symbol Of Honour followed up his victory in the Carnarvon here last year in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock and although yet to add to his tally, was an encouraging third on his return from Meydan in Newcastle’s Chipchase Stakes last month.

Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “Symbol Of Honour has come forward since Newcastle and has won at Newbury in the past. He goes into this in good shape and we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”

Ed Walker’s Noble Champion who was well held in that Gosforth Park contest completes a field of seven.