Cox's Royal Ascot plan takes shape Kodi Bear is to have his sights lowered on his seasonal return after being ruled out of running at Royal Ascot. Trainer Clive Cox decided to swerve the St James's Palace Stakes with the three-year-old, who missed the 2000 Guineas after being cast in his box, in favour of a shot at the Listed Midsummer Stakes at Windsor on June 27. The mile contest will be the son of Kodiac's first outing since chasing home Belardo in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket back in October. Cox said: "Kodi Bear has pleased me with his progress, but he didn't quite show enough to us that he should be taking on Gleneagles. "The plan is to bring him back in the Midsummer Stakes. He did a super piece of work on Saturday and I am delighted he is coming back. "I am really hoping this is a stepping stone to bigger things." Although Kodi Bear will not be heading to Ascot the Hungerford trainer has two-year-olds Soapy Aitken (Windsor Castle) and Our Joy (Albany Stakes) in action at the five-day meeting. While Our Joy was just denied on her sole outing at Sandown last month, Soapy Aitken heads to the meeting defending an unbeaten record having won both of his starts at Leicester and Windsor. Cox said: "Soapy Aitken is unbeaten in both starts and has been doing really well in the build up to the Windsor Castle. I am really looking forward to seeing him out. "Our Joy was just touched off on her debut over five furlongs and I would like to think that the step up to six furlongs in the Albany will suit her better as she is a big filly."
