Royal Ascot - Coventry Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 1, Race 4)

Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) Winner £48,255

Pick: Power (win & each/way)

Barolo Top: Needed the race too much to have an impact in decent York maiden (form fairly solid) when beating Wolf Spirit at Haydock on Thursday, having looked beaten two out; Useful but not a lot in hand and this far deeper test.

B Fifty Two: Came on for debut when winning 5f maiden at Bath (form decent for the level) , and far better performance when getting better of subsequent wide margin Listed winner Lilbourne Lad, in receipt of 3lbs (useful, albeit exposed sort back in third); Faces acid test but should not be underrated.

Brocklebank: Off the bridle early but never lacked response for pressure when grinding his way to second on Haydock debut; Promise rewarded when taking a 6f maiden at York last time and while he can go onto better things, others preferred even with stable having such a good run in this division.

Campanology: Made a satisfactory debut (clearly better for race, having been more than green in the early stages) behind Telwar, although he was never able to get on terms; Had not chance with winner that day and while booking of Murtagh notable others look far better and can only be watched at this stage.   

Chandlery: Ran on gamely and made a good impression on debut when beating better fancied stablemate Coupe de Ville a short head at Goodwood 11 days ago; Difficult to know how much he will come on for the race though and others from stable are probably better propositions for this.

Commissar: Was one of those fancied when left for dead behind Magic City at Newbury and extremely impressive at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day, never in danger and streaking clear final furlong; Brought from Godolphin afterwards and rates highly on shortlist.

Evervescent: Came on well from promising debut run (a strong race which has thrown up plenty of winners) when outbattling rivals in Haydock maiden & manful effort when second (well held, despite unlucky trip) by Fulbright in Epsom Listed race; That rival reopposes so hard to see form reversal.

Fulbright: Made a promising debut when not getting the best of runs and put that right when winning 5f maiden at Musselburgh last month, going clear of newcomer late on & fat better when leading them all a merry dance in Woodcote Stakes (Evervescent well held); Has to come forward again (was best suited to race) but rated highly and improving enough to be looked at.

Gabrial: Made impressive debut when defying poor draw, start and wide trip to get up in Chester maiden (well backed) & while form of that race been let down, that best ignored; More solid performance ratings wise when only just getting up to overhaul 4 previous winners in Beverley conditions contest (will improve for this trip) & while promising, owner may have better chance with Gatepost.

Gatepost: Showed himself useful when comfortable Folkestone maiden winner in April, and booked place here when showing sharp turn of foot to beat 4 previous winners at York last month, defying poor first half of race; Well up to this class and given way race may unfold, high on list.

Italo: First runner of meet for US Trainer Wesley Ward, and impressive when always in control at Longchamp last month; Middle draw suits perfectly for his style of running, and commands respect here having been aimed at these races.

Jack My Boy: Came to hand really quickly and impressive when clear cut winner of Leicester maiden, and able to progress on that when outbattling Tell Dad in Newmarket conditions contest next time out (race has produced winners of this); Might have been dismissed as early season 2yo but formline with second that day (gave weight) gives her chance.

Lethal Force: Bumped into one with experience when second to North Star Boy here (winner reopposes) but didn’t seem to have learned merit of that when causing interference and being demoted (headed last stride) at Goodwood last time and while he will pick up a race, today he’s best swerved.

Mezmaar: One of most impressive debuts in this field when quickening away in smooth style on Haydock debut, overcoming greenness to end up well on top at line; Surely a Group race colt after that, and likely to take the beating here for yard that has good record in this race.

Mitchum: Cantered home in a 5f Fibresand maiden on debut at Southwell (winning distance of 8 lengths); Didn’t keep promise intact when last of 5, well behind Gabrial at Beverley last time out & this even harder.

North Star Boy: Made promising debut when in front of Evervescent and Roman Soldier at Goodwood, and made no mistake when he was a clear cut winner over Lethal Force here last time out; Has a chance on that form although needs to come forward again.

Power: Showed a strong and professional attitude when coming home two lengths clear of fellow debutant (landed gamble) at the Curragh & same qualities again in attendance when landing Marble Hill Stakes last time, showing speed dropped in trip; Step back up to this trip will help and strong claims.

Pride & Joy: Encouraging enough debut when chasing home subsequent winner in 6f Newmarket maiden last month, but well behind Lethal Force at Goodwood on latest outing, and easy to swerve up in class.

Rebellious Guest: Managed to overcome greenness when winning 16 runner by 3 lengths from Red Aggressor (not won since) ; That said, well worth taking his chance here and booking of Tom Queally take the eyes.

Red Aggressor: Progressing but well disposed of by Red Aggressor at Windsor last time, and hard to see him reversing placings with that horse, let alone win this.

Roman Solider: Never ready enough for debut at Goodwood, and massive improvement when hard held & easy winner of Leicester maiden last time out, never in any danger from a long way out; Has to be respected.

St Barths: Green and behind at halfway in very strong Newbury maiden & made late challenge when blocked off in his run late on; Typical improvement from his stable for 2yo when running on well to land Leicester maiden last time out & can do better again here.

Trumpet Major: Finished ahead of St Barths when third on debut at Newbury in May (probably should have won) & better again when off the mark at Goodwood next time; Choice pick of Hughes and yard are going for hat – trick in this so high up shortlist.

VERDICT: A while host of promising types line up for what could be a top renewal if all works out well, although the draw muddles things and it’s hoped that Italo leads them up the middle. Aidan O’Brien’s POWER makes most appeal, having shown the speed to get home over 5 furlongs last time and the guts to get the better of a photo finish in the process. There are plenty of progressive types in here, including Haydock maiden winner Mezmaar, Leicester maiden winners St Barths & Roman Soldier, with Wise Venture the pick of the Hannon team.