Orthodox leaves Prix Morny defeat behind in Middle Park

The Clive Cox-trained Norfolk hero Orthodox bounced back from his Prix Morny defeat with a gutsy display to see off Force Noir in a thrilling finish to the Middle Park at Newmarket.

Orthodox bounced back from his Prix Morny defeat to strike at the highest level for the first time in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Force Noir cut out the early running as he set a sharp pace at the head of field, but Rossa Ryan put down his challenge early and asked Norfolk Stakes winner Orthodox for an effort at the three-furlong marker.

The Clive Cox-trained 7-2 chance was pushed all the way to the line by Robson De Aguiar's Force Noir at a big price and just prevailed by a neck, with favourite Inner City Blues never getting into it.

It was a welcome return to winning ways for the Royal Ascot scorer and Cox said: "We always had confidence in him and it was always a question of would he handle the track with the quicker ground a bonus for this time of year.

"Sometimes it is not as quick as this and I'm just thrilled he has shown what we all see at home, as he is pretty special in the mornings and he's special in the afternoons as well. He's tough and very able and it was a big team effort to get him here and I'm over the moon.

"I think he got away with the track and Rossa was supreme the way he coaxed him through the dip and then set sail after that. I thought it was a supreme ride and I'm thrilled. Rossa is a regular in the mornings and knows exactly what he's riding and what he's up against as well."

It was the third time Cox has scooped the Middle Park after Reckless Abandon (2012) and Supremacy (2020) who like Orthodox was owned by Jason Goddard.

With his future clearly lying in the sprint division in which Cox regularly thrives, Orthodox was handed a quote of 12-1 by Ladbrokes and Coral for next year's Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting.

However, before that a trip to America for the Breeders' Cup will be discussed by connections.

Cox continued: "I would be hugely excited by this fellow. I know his family really well and his aunt won the Queen Mary for us (Heartache).

"I think he's blessed with the ability to race over five furlongs or six, but I don't think there can be any doubt he gets six and he proved that today.

"He had the gears to win well over five furlongs at Ascot and he's a very talented sprinter and a joy to have.

"It's a joy to have these horses and it means the world. He could go to the Breeders' Cup and we'll see how he comes back and discuss it with Jason. It is a possibility, but we have to enjoy today first and then discuss the future over the next few days."

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Haffner left a disappointing performance in the National Stakes firmly behind him with a clear-cut victory in the Tattersalls Online Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.

The Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Quest For Stars and First Law disputed the early lead with the latter racing keenly on the far side of the course in isolation with Iwasjustsaying.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Haffner was the first to lay down his challenge a furlong and a half out and pulled clear of the field with First Law and Quest For Stars unable to go with him.

The well-backed 7-4 favourite went on to oblige by one and a quarter lengths to give O'Brien a record eighth Royal Lodge and Ryan Moore his first. Karl Burke's Burning Up stayed on best of the rest for second in the colours of last year's winner, Bow Echo.

O'Brien said: "The ground got soft at the Curragh the last day which didn't suit him. He's going to be a lovely middle-distance horse next year, he's going to be a French Derby type horse. He'll get the Guineas trip on his ear, will stay a mile and a quarter and could even get further, so I'm delighted.

"He's a good mover and we didn't think the ground was going to be as soft as it was at the Curragh. He's a beautiful mover and we were happy to draw a line through that and he was always in control today. Ryan gave him a beautiful uncomplicated ride and it was very simple really.

"His form was different class really and his only blip was in the National Stakes. We knew that was because of the ground and we knew he would get the mile very easily. He's an Acomb winner and his form is so strong."

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Paddy Power make Haffner a 4-1 chance for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland next month and O'Brien indicated that could be the next destination for the talented son of Justify.

O'Brien added: "America is very possible next, where he will get nice ground. He would love the Breeders' Cup round a bend and the mile would be very easy for him, so we'll see what the lads want to do.

"America was always a possibility and the last day was a blip, but we had to come here today to make sure we knew exactly that it was and he's got back on track.

"I think he could start in a Guineas next year and then we will see him stepping up in trip."