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Cox colt overturns Ascot form to hold Threat at bay

Golden Horde  reversed Royal Ascot form with Threat to win the Qatar Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Clive Cox's juvenile finished fifth in the Coventry Stakes – in which Richard Hannon's Threat had gone close in second to Arizona, and was therefore sent off favourite to confirm his superiority.

But drawn in stall one, Tom Marquand was stuck on the outside on Threat as Adam Kirby got Golden Horde settled just behind the early leader Misty Grey.

As Kirby made his move and sent his mount to the front, 11-8 favourite Threat appeared to have his measure – with Marquand waiting to make his challenge.

Throughout the final furlong the two became involved in a protracted battle – but as hard as Threat tried, he could not get to Golden Horde, who won by three-quarters of a length at 15-2, with three more back to Royal Dornoch.

Golden Horde was given a 33-1 quote for the 2000 Guineas by RaceBets, and Cox, whose Positive had finished second to Pinatubo in the Vintage Stakes earlier in the week, said: "He is very talented and has got a lot of ability and a great mind.

"I'm thrilled for the owner as he has had a few horses with us and it is special to have a good horse for him.

"He is really where we want him to be. We have been taking stepping stones along the way. He is progressing with each race and it is great to another top horse.

"He got into a lovely rhythm and Adam said that it didn't feel they were going that fast which is the sign of a good horse. I'm delighted with his progression and I still think he is improving.

"He is in the Gimcrack and the Prix Morny. We will see how he comes back, but I don't think he is too complicated with the ground. We will discuss it with the owner and hopefully make the right decision.

"It was great to watch the last 50 yards as he was gaining, not folding. I think that was our 10th two-year-old winner of the year. Hopefully we have a nice bunch."

Hannon said of the second: "He ran a decent race. I'm not sure there are many excuses. I thought he was coming there to win.

"The winner though is obviously a very good horse. I don't think the draw made a difference as he hit the gates and travelled and he travelled well.

"I don't lose confidence or admiration in him. I hoped he would win there, but he didn't.