3 minute read

Jasour sprung something of a surprise when landing the Group 2 July Stakes for Clive Cox at odds of 16/1.

Clive Cox's colt confirmed his debut promise when running out a comfortable winner of an eight-runner maiden at Nottingham last month and he duly proved his worth in this Group 2 lineup when scoring in decent fashion this afternoon.

The pace looked honest down the centre of the track as Toca Madera, market leader Purosangue, and Maximum Impact battled it out for the early lead.

AMO Racing's Thunder Blue looked like laying down a challenge alongside Malc, who threatened to get involved up the far side rail, but it was Jasour, confidently ridden by Jim Crowley, who came home best.

The son of Havana Grey was held up towards the rear of the field for his Nottingham maiden success and connections opted for similar tactics this afternoon as Jim Crowley anchored his mount at the back. The striking grey looked to be travelling nicely with a couple of furlongs to run and displayed a nice turn of foot to take it up well inside the final furlong. Jim Crowley kept his mount up to his work in the closing stages, but he always looked to have matters under control and eventually ran out a ready two-length winner.

Clive Cox said: "I'm really pleased. He always gave us a lot of promise and he felt at home that dropping him in behind was going to see a bigger improvement. He has just run in two races where nothing has been able to lead him early.

"Stepping up to six was a step into the unknown but I'm so pleased and happy. He is going the right way, but these sorts of occasions worry me. I'm so pleased for Sheikh Sultan as he is a big supporter. Following on from Golden Horde this is a real nice horse to have. He will go to the Richmond from here, but he will have an entry in the Morny and we will see what is what.

"He has always promised to be a nice horse. He was second first time out after hitting the front at Salisbury, then won nicely at Nottingham.

"Stepping into the six was a step into the unknown and he had to really settle in a race of this class, and it was magical to see him do that. I'm just so proud of him.

"Sadly, Sheikh Sultan missed Golden Horde winning at Royal Ascot so this is a nice one to witness in person, so I'm pleased he is here today."

William Haggas' Lake Impact (7/1) stuck on well to finish runner-up while 40/1 outsider Toca Madera was back in third.