13:50 Royal Ascot

Saturday 20 June 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 15.21s

(10)

Admiral Nelson⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien

5/2

Sole representative from a yard who have a superb record in this race; looked second string judged on betting/jockey booking when winning on debut (Curragh, 5f, good), cruised through contest (impressive under quiet ride), quick return, top prospect.

Form: 1

(13)

Army Of India¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| D

66/1

One of three contenders from this yard; knew his job on debut at Kempton (6f, slow) to hold on at the finish from a well-fancied rival. Open to further progress switching to turf, experience of tough battle will stand him in good stead for this test.

Form: 1

(12)

Choritzo⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: D Loughnane| D

100/1

Debut winner at Wolverhampton in a fair maiden (principals finished in a heap), likely to step forward from that run though. This is a huge leap up the class ladder and he'll do well to get involved faced by some smart types switching to turf.

Form: 1

(9)

Creative Force¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

10/1

Yard off to a good start with their 2yo's this son of Dubawi making a winning start to his career at Newmarket (6f, good/firm). Knew his job first-time up, travelled well (had two of today's rivals behind), looks an exciting prospect, sound claims.

Form: 1

(15)

Dark Lion¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| BF

7/1

Fourth on debut at Newmarket (6f, good/firm) behind Creative Force (beaten 3¼L), not as clued up as some of these (including the winner) but started favourite. Came from a fair way back (race not suited to those tactics), likely to progress.

Form: 4

(8)

Existent¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden

10/1

Yard have been in superb form overall (not quite firing with 2yo's), third on debut (showed plenty to work on) behind Bright Devil (well beaten in Chesham Stakes) at Newmarket (6f, food/firm). Will know more this time, progress needed to be involved.

Form: 3

(14)

Igotatext¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| D

66/1

Stable well known for their 2yo's (bit below-par with age group this year so far); given a well-judged ride to score from a poor draw on AW debut at Lingfield (6f). Overcame inexperience there (will know more this time), this a much stiffer task.

Form: 1

(16)

Lauded¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| D

8/1

Booked ticket for this event when producing a very promising first effort too land what looked a deep race at Haydock (6f, good). Travelled well, went clear (won 4½L), no doubt there is better to come, stable ticking along well with 2yo's this year.

Form: 1

(6)

Nando Parrado¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox

150/1

Held back by inexperience but shaped with a fair bit of promise on debut at Newmarket (6f, good/firm) behind Bright Devil (well beaten in Chesham Stakes). Keeping on when hampered 1f out, not knocked about, sure to come on for that encounter.

Form: 5

(2)

Painless Potter¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: A King

40/1

Yard have already tasted success at the meeting; ran well on debut (trainer not known for early 2yo's), caught the eye in a big way at Kempton (6f). Ran on late under minimal pressure to finish third just behind Army Of India/Science, interesting.

Form: 3

(4)

Qaader⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| D

3/1

Appears best of the three this yard have here, one of the nine 2yo winners they have on the board so far after gaining a debut victory with a smooth 6f Newbury success. Forged clear to win 6L (form already franked), smart prospect, hard to ignore.

Form: 1

(3)

Saeiqa¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: M Dwyer| T: J & T Gosden

25/1

Behind Creative Force but finished in front of Dark Lion on Newmarket debut (6f, good/firm), showed plenty to work on just not as clued up as the pair that beat him. Not given a hard time, does have some work to do at this level, others appeal more.

Form: 3

(11)

Science^p1¹⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| BF

40/1

Made a more than creditable debut from a yard that are always to be noted with their 2yo's despite the fact they are punching below their usual stellar level in 2020. Debut short-head second to Army Of India, cheekpieces now on, others appeal more.

Form: 2

(7)

Talbot¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: B J Meehan

12/1

Rare first-time out 2yo winner for this yard on the AW at Lingfield over 5f making an impressive start to his career from Jojo Rabbit (winner since). Quickened up in fine style, needs to prove himself on turf/over extra furlong, could be very useful.

Form: 1

(1)

Thunder Of Niagara¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| D

50/1

Third member of this yard's team for the race (all once-raced winners) who like most of the yard's 2yo's knew his job on debut. Beat a subsequent winner at Newcastle (6f, slow), kept on well, gives his trainer a strong hand (won this in 2015).

Form: 1

Non-Runners

(5)

Mehmo¹⁷

Weight: 9-1| Age: 2

T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Admiral Nelson (5/2), Qaader (3/1), Dark Lion (7/1), Lauded (8/1), Existent (10/1), Creative Force (10/1), Talbot (12/1), Saeiqa (25/1), Painless Potter (40/1), Science (40/1), Thunder Of Niagara (50/1), Army Of India (66/1), Igotatext (66/1), Choritzo (100/1), Nando Parrado (150/1), Mehmo (200/1)

Some exciting 2yo’s on display, nine having won on their debuts; a complex puzzle with none having run more than once. Aidan O’Brien has dominated this event with seven winners since 2001 so his Curragh winner Admiral Nelson has to be respected stepping up to 6f. The Johnston stable has been banging in juvenile winners so all his three must be respected with Newbury winner Qaader looking the best of them. Creative Force bids to confirm debut form with Saeiqa and Dark Lion but LAUDED made a real impression when skipping clear at Haydock in what looked a good contest and he’s taken to land this prize. Talbot appeals most of those likely to start at double-figure odds in a fascinating Coventry.