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Horse Racing

Clive Cox pair unlikely to head to Guineas after Newbury runs but sprinter Diligent Harry to step up in class

CLIVE COX is likely to skip the Guineas with stable stars Nando Parrado and Isabella Giles.

His pair were fourth and sixth in their respective Classic trials at Newbury on Sunday.

Cox also has the exciting sprinter Diligent Harry to plan a route for

And with the ground too quick underfoot, the Lambourn trainer is to unlikely to send the pair to Newmarket in less than two weeks.

Cox believes Isabella Giles will be best at seven furlongs, while Nando Parrado needs some rain before he goes over a mile.

The trainer said: “Isabella Giles showed up very well on ground that was just a bit too quick for her, it was just as it said, but too quick for her. 

“As it said in the description it was a trial race and we’ll probably keep her to seven furlongs and not beyond for now – that was the conclusion there. But she’s fine this morning.

“She’s a Group 2 winner over seven at two, but I think the ground is important to her. We’ll be unlikely to explore the mile for now.”

Nando Parrado, last year’s shock 150-1 Coventry winner, is likely to step up in trip next time out, but only when the rain comes.

Cox added: “It was a bit the same with Nando Parrado, it was much quicker ground than he’d encountered before. But he ran with great credit and hit the line well.

“With a bit of easier ground a mile should be in his comfort zone and we’ll just keep an eye on the weather with him.

“Stepping up in trip would probably be on the cards next time. With the present forecast the likelihood of little rain before Newmarket I think it would be unlikely we went there.”

Improving sprinter Diligent Harry has the Listed Carnarvon Stakes pencilled it at Newbury on Lockinge weekend.

The horse only made his debut in January but is already rated 105 after three wins.

Cox said: “Diligent Harry only ran his first race in January. To be rated 105 now is a huge undertaking, we’ll just give him a nice couple of weeks since Lingfield.

“We’ll be taking it step-by-step with him, something like the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury could make sense.”

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