Cox hoping James’s Delight can mix it with the best

Clive Cox felt vindicated when James’s Delight caused a minor surprise in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

The four-year-old made rapid progress last season, ending the campaign running at Ascot on Champions Day.

Unplaced on his first two outings of this campaign, though, he was sent off a 22-1 chance for the Group Two but under Oisin Murphy he just prevailed in a blanket finish, with Cox citing rain before the race as a potential key factor.

“We were over the moon. He was very courageous. Oisin gave him a lovely ride and I was thrilled for his connections, Paul and Clare Rooney,” said Cox.

“He was first class, he showed a lot of courage. That storm of rain just prior to the race was undoubtedly a bit of a help and he’s come out of the race really well.

“It wasn’t a total surprise that he has performed well at this level because when things have gone right for him he was impressive in his Listed races in France.

“When conditions are right, he’s a very capable performer.”

When asked if he would need cut in the ground to take up his entry in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Cox replied: “He would appreciate decent ground or even slower.

“Oisin said the track was still riding quick enough at the time so that rain was a help, without a shadow of doubt, and I’ve still got hopes that on a good day, with a bit of luck in running, he can perform at the highest level – which he’s proved here.”