Adaay can prove himself leading juvenile in the Coventry
THE COVENTRY Stakes (3.05pm) is typically one of the strongest two-year-old races on the calendar and the winner generally finds himself prominent in the betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas.
Dawn Approach, Canford Cliffs and Power have all followed up Coventry victories with success in either the British or Irish Guineas in recent years and it will be interesting to see what the ante-post market makes of ADAAY if William Haggas’ colt can make it three out of three here.
This looks a hot race with seven undefeated horses and 12 of the 16 runners lining up on the back of a win, but Adaay has looked very good so far and beat leading Windsor Castle fancy Mind Of Madness last time.
With the Haggas yard in sparkling form, this one should go very close at 5/1 with Star Sports.
I think the market is wrong to have Aidan O’Brien’s War Envoy as the 4/1 favourite. The bookies have reported a flood of money for him in recent days but he was beaten fair and square by Kool Kompany at Naas last time.
It’s the other leading Irish contender I prefer. Ger Lyons is enjoying a fantastic season and his Cappella Sansevero arrives looking to extend his unbeaten record to four. The concern is the ground as his form is on soft or heavy, but if he handles quicker conditions he should be involved at the business end.
John Quinn runs a fascinating challenger in The Wow Signal. The son of former Diamond Jubilee winner Starspangledbanner bolted up by nine lengths on debut and was snapped up by Al-Shaqab racing after.
The form of that race couldn’t be working out any better with the second winning by six lengths next time and the third by two lengths. He could be anything but the value has gone in the price now and I’m happy to stick with Adaay.
Pointers…
ADAAY 3.05pm Ascot