Royal Ascot Coventry Stakes Ante-Post Preview

The Coventry Stakes has produced some top class colts over the years, none more so than 2012 winner Dawn Approach. Four of the last six winners have gone on to win a classic the following season and trainer Aidan O’Brien has been successful on six occasions.

O’Brien has a typically strong entry this season and the market leader is Stubbs, a son of Danehill Dancer and the winner of his last two starts. Last time out at Naas he picked up nicely off a slow pace and has been well supported in the ante-post market.

Stubbs could be joined in the race by stable companion Sir John Hawkins, a winner of his only start at the Curragh. He is by Henrythenavigator who won this race in 2007 and looks open to plenty of improvement.

Richard Hannon has won this race three times, notably with Canford Cliffs in 2009. He has several entries and the pick of them may be Championship. The chestnut was slowly away at Newbury but made up the ground to win quite cosily in the end. Jockey Richard Hughes will take the ride on him in preference to Epsom winner Thunder Strike, now the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Thunder Strike was completing a hat-trick when beating Riverboat Springs in the Woodcote Stakes in good style and is one of the more experienced runners in the field. The runner-up ran about a bit that day and will have benefited from the run. Goodwood winner Waaheb is another possible runner for the Hannon team.

Kevin Ryan holds Astaire in high regard and he made all the running to score on his debut at York last month. Richard Fahey’s Parbold also won on his debut at the same venue and William Haggas may run Saayerr, the winner of both of his starts to date. He may be better than the bare form of his latest victory at Windsor suggests as it was a messy four-runner event.

Mark Johnston relies on Goodwood winner Lanark whilst Brian Meehan may choose from Man Amongst Men and Mawfoor. The latter fought back well when headed at Haydock and was well in command at the finish.