Valor brave from the front as O’Brien lands Group 2 double

A combination of fast ground and seven furlongs had brought out the best performance of Spirit Of Valor’s career when he finished a close second in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt confirmed he is a serious animal when conditions are in his favour as he blitzed the field in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes.

Following in the hoofprints of Darwin and Air Chief Marshal, both of whom won this race for O’Brien as three-year-olds, 5-2 favourite Spirit Of Valor was given a good positive ride from the front by Ryan Moore.

The pair were strongly pressed for the lead approaching the final furlong but a good injection of pace when it mattered most sealed a victory a little shy of two lengths over the David O’Meara-trained So Beloved.