Cox looking forward to Prix Morny action with Orthodox
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 9 Aug 2026
Missing the Prix Robert Papin could prove a blessing in disguise for Orthodox, as trainer Clive Cox looks forward to his runaway Royal Ascot hero returning to action in the Prix Morny.
The speedy son of Havana Grey built on his winning Salisbury debut when impressively romping to Norfolk Stakes success at the Royal meeting, but Cox’s initial plan for a trip to Chantilly was curtailed due to an unsatisfactory scope in the week leading up to the race.
Nevertheless, a trip to France remains on the agenda, but now it is Deauville that is the destination on August 23, with the Lambourn handler thrilled with the condition of his exciting youngster.
Cox said: “He’s been training well and we’re looking forward to the Morny as long as all goes well in the meantime.
“I’ve been very happy and he’s progressing physically as well and giving me a really good vibe.
“I think just because we had taken the Papin route before it made plenty of sense to go there in the debrief after Ascot.
“Obviously we found something we weren’t happy with and had to miss that, but the extra time won’t have done him any harm.
“I think physically he’s still developing, so I don’t see any downside to not taking part in the Papin and as long as we come back in tip-top order I’m looking forward to the Morny.”
Cox previously won the Morny with Reckless Abandon in 2012 and Orthodox’s cause has been further boosted by news usual pilot Rossa Ryan is available to ride after a 28-day suspension he received was shortened to 10.
Cox added: “It’s huge and we’re very pleased indeed that Rossa can ride.”
Coppull is the most recent Beechdown Stables representative to run in the Deauville Group One, finishing fifth behind Venetian Sun on the Normandy coast 12 months ago.
The son of Bated Breath has proven a consistent performer for his team and having finished an eyecatching fourth in the July Cup last time, Cox is now pondering seven-furlong options alongside the obvious next port of call over six, Haydock’s Group One Sprint Cup in early September.
Cox continued: “I was thrilled with his run in the July Cup and I think with a little bit of a cleaner run through the last 100 metres it could have gone our way.
“I’m pleased that he’s in good form and we have covered a few seven-furlong options for him. I’m a little on the fence whether we go in the Hungerford at Newbury or not because we’ve the Haydock Sprint Cup to think of as well.”
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