Coppull (5/1) ran out a ready winner of the Markel Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
The Group Two contest was run under dark skies and the 5/1 chance’s red silks shone brightly by the stands’ rail throughout.
It was clear a furlong out that David Probert’s mount had his rivals at full-stretch and wasn’t for catching.
Puerto Rico and Havana Hurricane were the two to lead the chase but were two lengths and a neck adrift at the line.
Coppull was third in the Coventry Stakes on his previous start and halved in price to 4/1 for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York behind 7/4 favourite Wise Approach with Paddy Power and Sky Bet.
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Probert told ITV Racing: “It’s all down to Clive [Cox, winning trainer] and the team at home – they've done a great job with him. It’s been hard getting him to settle but he was a professional today. He’s a progressive two-year-old and there is more to come. He’s got a great mind.”
Cox added: "I was worried about soft ground because Coppull has such a beautiful action on a nice surface. He is very quick and did that really well. For Sophie and David Armstrong, breeding these horses as well as winning these sorts of races, there is a lot of years' work gone into it. It gives me a great thrill to help them do it.
“I am still not sure Coppull will go on really soft ground. If we had been in the next race, it would have been harder work, but he is still very good and showcased that today. I think he is very gifted, similarly to that pair [Supremacy and Golden Horde]. He is a proper six-furlong horse, so usual plans from here and the Middle Park will be the end goal.
“He has a bit of size and scope and I don't see any reason why he won't make up into a really nice three-year-old as well. He really did appreciate the time between Ascot and here and I think there is more to come with the right behaviour."
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