Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

AIDAN O’Brien gained a ninth Coventry Stakes success as Arizona and Ryan Moore produced a sustained run down the centre to prove too strong for Threat and Guildsman in a thrilling renewal.

The son of No Nay Never had looked something special when winning by eight lengths at the Curragh late last month, and confirmed that impression here, despite taking every yard of the journey to wear down his rivals.

His trainer suggested that he will sharpen up physically and mentally for the run. “He was very green first time out and then won very easily next time, but probably didn’t learn a lot because of that so this is the first day that he has had to learn.

“He was a little bit slow away and a little bit lost through the race, but came home really well. He obviously has loads of speed or he wouldn’t be able to win like that, but we always thought he would be a horse who would have no problem getting seven furlongs.”

O’Brien suggested he could have waited for the Chesham Stakes for the colt, something he suggested after the Curragh win, but it’s as well he didn’t, as even under changed conditions for the 2019 event, Arizona is not qualified for that restricted event on Saturday.

Super attitude

“I think he is a high-class colt,’’ said winning rider, Ryan Moore. “He has a super attitude, but is not fully switched on yet and will probably benefit when he steps up in trip. He has come out of a maiden so this was a different tempo and you would have to be pleased with what he has done today.”

Neither Threat nor Guildsman lost any caste in defeat, and Richard Hannon was pleased with the runner-up. “He is a good colt and we can’t wait for the rest of the year with him. He saw the trip out well and is the sort of horse who will come out of the race fine. He is strong and mature and, hopefully, we can win a Group 1 with him at some stage this season.”

Archie Watson spoke in similar vein about the third. “I couldn’t be happier with my lad,” he said. “There is a very defined path for horses like him. He is a ready made two-year-old and we will be looking for races like the July Stakes and the Richmond Stakes with him. I don’t need to be very clever.”