Cowell tunes up sprint squad

Robert Cowell is to run all three of his smart sprinters in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Newmarket trainer conceded last year’s winner Prohibit may now have his best days behind him but is clearly excited about the future of his Italian recruit Spirit Quartz.

Prohibit was only seventh to Wizz Kid in last weekend’s Prix du Gros- hene and Cowell said: “It’s possible he’s not as good as he was. We’ve had amazing highlights and he’s propelled my career. We have to accept that, but he’s very good at Ascot and never out of the top three. I hope he’ll run a good race but he’s seven and might find one or two too good.”