'Guineas horse' Persian Force thrills Hannon and Ryan with dominant display

Thursday: Close Brothers July Stakes, Newmarket

When comparisons are being made with Canford Cliffs and next season's 2,000 Guineas is already being talked about, it is well worth taking note, and winning connections were making all the right noises following Persian Force's clinical victory in the Group 2 Close Brothers July Stakes.

Second in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Persian Force was spared a showdown with Windsor Castle Stakes scorer Little Big Bear just 20 minutes before the race when his market rival was withdrawn due to the ground, and Persian Force took full advantage as the 1-2 favourite.

The winner was following in the footsteps of his sire Mehmas, who also finished runner-up in the Coventry before landing the July Stakes, and winning trainer Richard Hannon is so excited by Persian Force that he is already talking about him as a future stallion.

"This fellow is probably as good a two-year-old as we've had for a long time," said Hannon. "He's always made me tingle. I'm sure he's a Group 1 winner waiting to happen and he's an ideal horse to make a very good stallion. He's a gorgeous looker and has everything good horses have."

Persian Force: top-level prospect for Amo RacingCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The end goal this season is likely to be the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over 7f on October 8, but potential trips to Ireland or France could come first according to Hannon, winning the July Stakes for a fourth time under his own name.

"I do think this horse will get seven furlongs," he said. "We don't have to go there immediately, but at the end of the year we will. His temperament is exemplary and he behaves and looks like very good two-year-olds do, and I hope it's a step on to better things.

"We'll have a look at the National Stakes in Ireland and the Prix Morny. My dad rang me after the Coventry and said he'll win the Guineas. He has speed, but because he's so sensible he has every chance of getting that trip."

Coral offered a tempting-looking 33-1 (from 50-1) about the winner for the next season's Qipco 2,000 Guineas and there was nothing that winning rider Rossa Ryan said to put anyone off.

"Richard is the master of two-year-olds," said Ryan "Building up to Royal Ascot there was talk that he's as good as Canford Cliffs – his words not mine – and I was getting excited. It's great to have something with a proper engine like he has underneath you. It's a magical feeling.

"At Royal Ascot we were unlucky on the day, but today when I pressed go he was gone straight away and we're starting to see the real deal now. He has everything and he's as good a horse as I've ridden so far in my career."

Ryan Moore, who had been due to ride Little Big Bear, described the going as good to firm, the same description Little Big Bear had won on at Royal Ascot, but the colt was withdrawn on this occasion.

July Stakes full result and replay

Sign up here. Minimum deposit requirement. Free bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.