Cox rules Dunelight out of Goodwood contest

Clive Cox has ruled Dunelight out of the totesport.com Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday because of unsuitable conditions.

As the five-year-old will not get his preferred fast ground he will miss out on a return to the Sussex track, where he was fourth in this race 12 months ago and third to Paco Boy in the Betfair Cup last month.

“The ground’s not going to be quick enough for Dunelight, it’s very disappointing,” said Cox.

“He’s got lots of entries, but we’re very much guided by how wet it’s going to be.”

Cox does, however, of a choice of engagements on Saturday for Dansili Dancer - the Windflower March Stakes at Goodwood and the totepool August Stakes at Windsor.

“We’ll make a decision in the morning. He’s another horse that prefers a sounder surface though you could get away with a little more give with him than you can with Dunelight,” Cox went on.

“Sadly he missed out on the Ebor with conditions being too wet up at York, but hopefully we’ve these choices to look at tomorrow.”

The Lambourn trainer reported Pearly Wey to be set to step up from handicaps to Listed company in the Countrywide Steel And Tubes Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

“At the moment he’s an intended runner but he wouldn’t want anymore rain,” remarked Cox.

“We were very pleased with his success at Goodwood. It was a very commendable effort under top weight. He’s got a rating of 99 so he’s deserving of a crack at a Listed prize.

“He’s got entries next month at the Curragh in the Renaissance, he’s also in the Ayr Gold Cup and the Portland but it depends on the weather as he doesn’t like it soft.”