Diligent Harry could be in line for a second tilt at the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai after claiming his second Listed victory of the year at Lingfield last weekend.
Just as he did in 2024, Clive Cox’s sprinter has kicked off his campaign by winning both the Kachy Stakes – albeit this year dead-heating with Completely Random – and the Hever Sprint Stakes, which was this year moved from Southwell to the Surrey track.
Two years ago Diligent Harry went on to finish an excellent third on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan and Cox would love to have another crack at the Group One contest with an eight-year-old who appears as good as ever.
“I’m was thrilled to see him back up up his Kachy Stakes success from a few weeks earlier in the Hever Sprint. He had a penalty to shoulder there and he’s come out of the race very well indeed,” said the Lambourn handler.
“I’m not quite sure where we go with him next, obviously handicaps are out of the question with him now, but for him to bag two Listed races at this stage of the year – as he did a couple of years ago – is a very pleasing feeling.”
On a possible return Dubai, Cox added: “I’m really hopeful, but the confirmations haven’t come through for the acceptors yet.
“We’re still hopeful, but at this stage that’s as accurate as we can be.”
Cox has made a flying start to 2026, with his last three runners all returning victorious.
“We were delighted to see Fast Track Harry win at Lingfield on Friday and Kingdom Come at Kempton was pretty good as well. I’m very happy they’re in good order,” he said.
“We’ve gone through the £100,000 prize-money mark already this year, which is highly pleasing for a hard working team of staff at home in the conditions (bad weather) everyone has been working in.”
