Coppull proved his versatility by stepping up in distance to claim his second Group Two triumph, guided by a daring ride from Hector Crouch, who also secured a double win in the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. The three‑year‑old colt, trained by Clive Cox, had previously finished third in the July Cup, but a bold decision to stretch him to seven furlongs paid off handsomely for both horse and jockey, completing a treble on the day’s card. Crouch delivered a performance that was as stylish as it was decisive. With two and a half furlongs left, he peeled Coppull away from the main pack, steering the colt toward the far side of the track.
This move placed Coppull at the head of a three‑horse breakaway, and the clear, swift path proved to be the winning formula. The Bated Breath‑sired youngster stayed on strongly, crossing the finish line one and a quarter lengths ahead of Prince Of India at 15‑2, while the favourite, Symbol Of Honour, finished a further three‑quarters of a length behind. Trainer Clive Cox, who credited Crouch with the choice of the far‑side route, said the win over seven furlongs opens up a range of options for the remainder of the season.
He noted that Coppoll had been unlucky not to place in the July Cup, but even as a two‑year‑old he had shown the stamina to stretch beyond six furlongs, recalling a strong Coventry performance. "He has a lot of class and reminds me of Lethal Force, who won this race in 2012 and went on to become champion sprinter the following year," Cox told ITV Racing. Cox added that while Coppoll remains quick enough for six‑furlong sprints, the dry summer conditions give the connections flexibility.
"If he comes back in good shape we could target the Haydock Sprint Cup with confidence after today’s effort, and we still have the Group Two Park Stakes at Doncaster, although he would carry a penalty there," he explained. In related news, Wine Dark Sea produced a flawless run in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, positioning the four‑year‑old gelding for a potential Melbourne Cup campaign. The horse’s connections recently sold a share to Australian Bloodstock, and a victory under Crouch secured a spot in the prestigious Australian race.
Backed from 13‑2 to 7‑2, Wine Dark Sea never looked vulnerable, pulling away from Tabletalk in the straight to win by a length and a half, with Dubai Honour, the 2‑1 favourite trained by William Haggas, finishing a neck behind in third. Trainer Harry Charlton confirmed that the Melbourne Cup is the next target, with the horse slated to enter quarantine on September 9. "The original plan was to finish third to secure a ballot spot for the Melbourne Cup, and he has exceeded that expectation," Charlton said. He noted that Australian partners had advised a third‑place finish to preserve the horse’s handicap rating, a strategy that differs from UK racing practices.
Wine Dark Sea’s recent form includes impressive handicap victories at Ascot and Carlisle earlier in the season, though he managed only a fifth‑place finish at Newmarket’s July meeting after a heavy weight assignment. Charlton attributed that dip to the rigours of a demanding finish and the long journey to the Cumbrian track.
"He broke the track record at Carlisle carrying top weight, so it’s never an easy race, especially after an eight‑hour trip in a heatwave," Charlton explained. Looking ahead, Charlton’s brother Tom, who trains in Australia and also has a Melbourne Cup runner, will join a team that will travel with Wine Dark Sea to the quarantine facility in Ballarat. The coordinated effort underscores the international collaboration required to prepare a horse for the world’s most demanding staying race.
Overall, Coppoll’s successful step up in distance and Wine Dark Sea’s solid performance both illustrate the strategic planning and adaptability that define top‑level racing. With multiple Group races still on the calendar, both horses have promising pathways that could see them compete at the highest levels, whether in sprint contests like the Haydock Sprint Cup or in staying events such as the Melbourne Cup. The upcoming weeks will reveal how their connections balance ambition with the practicalities of training, travel, and race selection, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in each horse’s career.