Cox sprinters have options Lethal Force has been given an entry in the Nunthorpe Stakes following his convincing victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Clive Cox feels he has to give York's five-furlong dash in August consideration after Lethal Force showed great speed throughout Saturday's Group One. Lethal Force has not run over the minimum trip since finishing second on his racecourse debut at Ascot in May 2011 and has been campaigned over six and seven furlongs since then. However, Cox has not ruled out going for five-furlong honours for Lethal Force, who has been raised 9lb to a mark of 120 thanks to his Diamond Jubilee triumph. "Because of the way he travelled on Saturday, we've covered every move by putting him in the Nunthorpe. The speed he showed the other day, we have to cover all the bases," said the Lambourn trainer. "He's in the July Cup and we've got him in the Nunthorpe simply because he's come out of the race so well. We are giving ourselves all the options. "We also have to think about the Maurice de Gheest (at Deauville) and the Foret (at Longchamp) later on. It's the logical thing." Cox has a second speedster under his care in Reckless Abandon, who was fifth to Sole Power in the King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs at the Royal meeting. Last year's dual Group One scorer may not have reached those heights so far this term, but Cox has not lost faith in the three-year-old and has him in both the July Cup and Nunthorpe. "He's come out of Ascot well. I'm very happy with him. We're similarly covering the bases with him and we'll decide on their wellbeing in the next couple of weeks," said the trainer.
