Coventry Stakes: which of these flying juveniles will lay down a marker?

1.50 AscotCoventry Stakes (Group 2) | 6f | 2yo | ITV/SKY

The Coventry Stakes is realistically the earliest point at which we might see a performance worthy of champion juvenile honours. The only horse to actually manage it in the last decade was Dawn Approach, but a Group 2 two-year-old race in June which is won by a top-five juvenile in six years out of ten is performing above itself.

Even though the run-up to this year's Coventry has been short, there is enough evidence to think this might be a particularly warm renewal. Then again, is there not always grounds for such optimism? The possibilities before these two-year-olds is exactly why the Coventry gets so much attention.

The top handful in the betting all represent top connections and all were convincing debut winners. It was almost impossible not to be impressed by Admiral Nelson, who quickened like an extremely good horse to pick up the O'Brien first string at the Curragh last Friday.

Admiral Nelson: easy winner on debut for Aidan O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

Like More Beautiful in the Queen Mary, he is about as quick as it gets for a Coolmore horse, being by Kingman (who sired the Coventry winner from his first crop) out of a precocious mare.

By contrast, Qaader is by Night Of Thunder from the family of Shirocco. He was only really getting going at the finish on his debut at Newbury, but he was still able to draw four lengths clear. Creative Force is somewhat similar, being a Dubawi half-brother to Persuasive.

The trend of recent history has been to prefer precocity in the Coventry, which is partly why Admiral Nelson is favourite. Young sires Kingman and No Nay Never have won the last two editions of the race and first-season sire Shalaa has made a promising start.

He is represented by Saeiqa, who was third to Creative Force on debut with Friday's Norfolk third Imperial Force in between.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

Dascombe looking to make his mark

A new alliance has been formed in the Coventry Stakes with Cheshire trainer Tom Dascombe saddling his first runner for powerful owners Al Shaqab Racing.

Lauded will wear the silver, gold and maroon silks after Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's operation bought into the Acclamation colt following his impressive debut victory at Haydock 12 days ago.

"We had a lot of interest after Haydock and the owners [Manor House Racing] decided to sell half the horse and I'm delighted to welcome Al Shaqab into ownership with us," said Dascombe.

Two of the trainer's four Royal Ascot victories have come in juvenile contests and Lauded showed a professional attitude to win against the rail on his first start.

"He won really well at Haydock and did exactly what we expected," added Dascombe. "The unknown is the ground but he won on good to soft and this is the logical step when you've won a maiden by four and a half lengths."

Galileo Gold: a Royal Ascot winner for Al Shaqab RacingCredit: Edward Whitaker

At the peak of their powers Al Shaqab enjoyed three Royal Ascot winners in 2014 and a Group 1 double at the meeting two years later courtesy of Galileo Gold (St James's Palace) and Qemah (Coronation Stakes).

After a couple of leaner years on the racecourse, the organisation has undergone major restructuring and it could be significant they are investing in young British talent again.

Al Shaqab are also represented by the John Gosden-trained Saeiqa in a race they won with The Wow Signal in 2014.

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Admiral Nelson
It was only last Saturday when he ran at the Curragh but he seems to be in good form and we like him.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Creative Force
He was very professional on his first start at Newmarket, when he jumped and travelled well. That was a pleasing introduction and he has come forward for the run. He has a sensible draw in the middle and we'll be disappointed if he doesn’t run a nice race.

Roger Varian, trainer of Dark Lion
He's quite a smart colt and the race didn't really pan out for him on his debut at Newmarket when he finished fourth. He should handle the ground and is not out of place in the race.

John Gosden, trainer of Existent and Saeiqa
Both finished promising thirds on their debuts and have come on for it but it depends on how they handle the ground as I had four run poorly on it on Thursday.

Clive Cox, trainer of Nando Parrado
We like him very much. He was drawn in one at Newmarket, which on the day wasn't ideal. He's come forward very well since and I'm hopeful he'll manage the track and the ground.

Alan King, trainer of Painless Potter
He made a very encouraging debut and is as nice a two-year-old as I've trained. The ground is an unknown and it's flying high but he deserves a crack at this.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Qaader
He won well on his debut at Newbury the other day but no-one had said he was flying beforehand so it was a pleasant surprise. Obviously there is a horse of Aidan's in there that won nicely at the Curragh but Sheikh Hamdan wanted our horse to take his chance.

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