Hot To Trot: Could be a Marvellous week for Cox

Clive Cox (click here for full entries)

Clive Cox is the most in-form Flat trainer on Timeform’s scale at the time of writing, saddling four winners from his last eight runners, and he has plenty of chances coming up at Glorious Goodwood next week.

Cox has an array of entries, with Cloak And Dagger probably his best chance on the opening day in the six-furlong maiden, having finished a good second at Haydock last time. Another maiden in the shape of Welcoming makes appeal on Wednesday, too, having been narrowly denied on debut at Chepstow in May; he is open to improvement now. The hat-trick seeking Kick On Kick On could take his chance in the five-furlong handicap on Thursday. He has been raised 5 lb for his latest win at Windsor, but could have more to offer still, and can make his presence felt.

Three-year-old filly Heartache holds an entry in the King George Stakes on Friday, but given she is yet to better her juvenile form in two starts this year, she faces a tough task up against her elders for the first time.  Cox has six entered for the Stewards’ Cup on Saturday, but the only one guaranteed a run is Tis Marvellous, who caught the eye when a close fourth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last time. A formally smart two-year-old, this mark shouldn’t be beyond him, and he appeals as the type to go well in big-field handicaps granted a clear run.

David Simcock (click here for full entries)

David Simcock is going through a good spell at present, and as the graph below shows, he is in much better form at this stage of the season than in previous years.

Breton Rock was a surprise winner of the Lennox Stakes 12 months ago (returned at 50/1), and he will bid to follow up on Tuesday. He shaped as though in need of the run on return at Epsom in June and, for all he is a big price again, he can’t be ruled out after last year’s exploits. Lightning Spear has proved as good as ever on both his starts this season, and he will again line-up in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday. He is a two-time C&D winner, finished third in the race last year, and seems sure to run well once more.

Also on Wednesday, Miss Latin is entered in a couple of handicaps, and appeals as the type to progress now entering that sphere. She has shaped well in a trio of starts to date, and looks more than capable of winning races from her current mark of 78. White Chocolate holds three entries at Goodwood and could take her chance in the Lillie Langtry on Thursday. She looked an unlucky loser in a handicap at Ascot last time, and is well worth another try at a mile and three quarters.

Saeed bin Suroor (click here for full entries)

Saeed bin Suroor has saddled 17 winners in July, with 65.4% of his horses running to form this season, so it’s safe to say he is in good form at present.

As the graph above demonstrates, Saeed bin Suroor’s horses tend to get better with age – on Timeform ratings, anyway – and Natural Scenery fits that bill.  Admittedly, she has been disappointing this season, but her mark continues to fall, and she will be of interest in the staying handicap on Wednesday.

One of his best chances of the week, though, could be Racing Country. He is entered in a couple of handicaps on Wednesday and Thursday, is firmly on the progressive path now, winning his last two starts, and should remain competitive after a 6 lb rise. Promising Run ran well in a listed race at Pontefract last time, and could prove a lively outsider in the Nassau Stakes over a trip she should stay on pedigree.