Weather might prove key to Diligent Harry’s bid for third time lucky

Clive Cox is on weather watch as Diligent Harry eyes a first turf success in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

The seven-year-old, who has twice been runner-up in the Group Three, was most recently seen winning the Chipchase Stakes at the same level on Newcastle’s all-weather track.

He is a eight-time winner on synthetic surfaces but despite placed runs at the highest level on turf, he is yet to get his head in front in 16 starts over both five and six furlongs.

Should the weather allow he will aim to put that right on Saturday, where success would be well deserved for a horse that is clearly a popular campaigner.

“Diligent Harry is entered at the weekend, we’re on a bit of a watching brief with the weather so we’ll have to see what the ground is like,” said Cox,

“I’m very pleased with him, his win at Newcastle was very special.

“He is yet to perform quite to the same level on turf, though he is Group One and Group Two-placed.

“He’s certainly as good as ever in his seventh year, he’s a real yard favourite and one of those horses you become really close to.”

He added: “I would say he’ll be on his travels later in the year, he just took a bit of time to come into himself this spring for whatever reason, but he’s really showing he’s in a good place at the moment and we’ve got unfinished business here first.”