Sprint Cup favourite Force ‘full of himself’, says Cox
His Diamond Jubilee and July Cup hero bids to regain winning ways after playing second fiddle behind Moonlight Cloud a month ago.
“Lethal Force is in excellent form and I really hope conditions are suitable for him. I couldn’t be happier with him,” said the Lambourn trainer.
“He’s in great nick and obviously he has already proved this year he’s at the top of his game. Hopefully he’ll fly the flag for us.
“He came back very well indeed from his run in France. He’s very full of himself.
“That was a very good race. She’s (Moonlight Cloud) a very special filly. With her being on home territory it was a tough nut to crack and it was a course record.
“Adam (Kirby) knows our horse really well and his impression on the day was that he probably wasn’t quite as sharp as he was for the July Cup run.”
Gordon Lord Byron was three-quarters of a length behind Lethal Force when third at Deauville and he was second in this race 12 months ago.
However, he goes to Haydock on the back of a Group Three success over a mile at Leopardstown and his trainer Tom Hogan is full of hope.
“He’s in very good form. He arrived over there on Thursday night and was out on the track on Friday morning. He’s in very good order,” said the County Tipperary handler.
“The rain is fine, but a drop was needed as it would have been very quick if they didn’t get a drop.
“Last year we thought we were drawn on the side with pace and it didn’t work out like that. Hopefully this year we will be.
“We were catching Lethal Force in Deauville the last day we met, so hopefully there will be a good pace and we might get by him one of these days.
“He improved last backend so hopefully he will improve at the same time of year again.”
Richard Fahey feels that significant rain would aid Garswood’s cause as his talented three-year-old colt is tackling a shorter trip after winning the Group Two Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
“The more rain the better to slow the others down a bit because we’re dropping him back in trip. Slowing down the race a bit would help us,” said the Malton handler.
“He’s in great form and we’re delighted with him. He goes there in top shape. He’s got to step up.
“We switched him off this year to try to get a mile and he has won over seven. The ground is not a huge issue, it’s just to slow them down and the better chance we’ll have.”
Trainer Eddie Lynam has his fingers crossed Slade Power does not repeat his antics in the stalls that cost him his chance in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
The four-year-old blotted his copybook after a series of good efforts that included a third place behind Lethal Force in the July Cup.
“He’s in good form, I just hope he behaves himself in the stalls and has a good run. He was a bit naughty in the gates the last day,” said the County Meath handler.
“He’ll be fine with the track, but we seem to be drawn away from the pace and there’s nothing we can do about that.
“Unfortunately it has been raining there. He has won on soft ground. In an ideal world I’d like the ground to be good.”
The more rain the better for Godolphin’s representative Soul, who has solid form when he can get his toe in.
“The key for him is he needs softer ground. In the morning when he works on firm ground he does not work well, but he shows his best form when it is soft,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
“Six furlongs is best for him, as he showed when he was fourth behind Black Caviar at Ascot. He is doing well and any rain will help.”
