Harry Angel to Bypass July Cup

Last year's Darley July Cup (G1) winner Harry Angel will not defend his crown at Newmarket July 14 after trainer Clive Cox said the star sprinter would need more time to recover from the cut leg he sustained when a beaten favorite in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1).

Harry Angel—the highest-rated sprinter in the world last year—was sent off 5-2 favorite at Royal Ascot, but lost all chance at the start when getting caught on the stalls just before they opened, sustaining a puncture wound in the process.

Cox had hoped the son of Dark Angel would recover in time for the July Cup—one of the most prestigious sprint races of the season—but on Monday admitted he had lost a race against time.

Quoted on the website of Harry Angel's owners Godolphin, Cox said: "I'm afraid he's not going to make it in time for Saturday. After reporting he had done well with the cut to his leg, I feel he is still not 100% and won't be ready. I couldn't be confident at this level. You have to be at the top of your game to win a July Cup."

"I need more time to get him back to his very best. I feel that the Haydock Sprint Cup (G1) in September is a realistic plan for him."

Prior to Harry Angel's successful reappearance in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (G2), Cox labelled the colt as a "once-in-a-lifetime horse." He was twice successful at the highest level last season and earned his status as the world's leading sprinter courtesy of a four-length demolition job in the 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes (G1). 

King's Stand Stakes (G1) winner Blue Point, who like Harry Angel is owned by Godolphin, heads the market for Saturday's group 1 at 3-1.

Likely rivals include last year's champion juvenile U S Navy Flag, who would be dropping back in trip from a mile, and leading 3-year-old sprinter Eqtidaar, an impressive winner of the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Aidan O'Brien, who trains U S Navy Flag, is responsible for 10 of the 19 contenders left in contention following Monday's confirmation stage.