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Clive Cox could be celebrating a third top-level success of 2013 for stable star Lethal Force on Saturday, according to Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings

Lethal Force put up the best sprinting performance of 2013 so far when capturing the July Cup at Newmarket, and his weight-adjusted figure of 141 puts him 7 lb clear of his 15 rivals.

The challenge is a truly international one, with South African-trained Kavanagh and Irish-based Slade Power both having an adjusted figure of 134, while another Irish contender (Gordon Lord Byron) sits next on 132, alongside Rex Imperator.

Timeform Flat Handicapper Stephen Molyneux commented: “There’s no doubt that Lethal Force has been the sprinting sensation of 2013, with his wins in the Diamond Jubilee and July Cup the best form to be had over the trip this year. He was a bit below form in the Maurice de Gheest last time, but there are reasons to excuse that and, all told, he’s going to take a lot of beating on Saturday.”

“The exciting thing about the field in behind is its youth. There must be a good chance that we haven’t seen the best of the likes of Reckless Abandon, Slade Power and Swiss Spirit yet. Of the up-and-comers, the one that catches my eye most is Rex Imperator, who put up form worthy of Group 1 sprints when demolishing the field in the Stewards’ Cup and can be forgiven for coming up short over seven furlongs at York last time.”

“But make no mistake, if Lethal Force is back on song it’s difficult to see him losing.”

Sprint Cup (all ratings weight-adjusted)

134 KAVANAGH

132 GORDON LORD BYRON

130 RECKLESS ABANDON

129 KINGSGATE NATIVE

128 HAMZA

127 HAWKEYETHENOO

118+ SOUL

112 TIDDLIWINKS