Coventry Stakes

A race won last year by Brian Smart and Helvellyn, a race which saw the disappointment of Holy Roman Emperor, who later returned to form over further engaged in fantastic duels with his rival Teofilo. The question is though, will this year throw up anything similar or perhaps an even better performance awaits? Chris Beek investigates..

A strong looking renewal with many leading trainers represented by plenty of runners. Aiden O’ Brien who has won this 4 times in the past ten years is represented by Henrythenavigator as well as a couple of other entrants who don’t look as smart. South Dakota impressed on his second start and he was 2nd in a listed contest, he has reportedly been working behind Henrythenavigator so it would be interested if he was allowed to take his chance after impressing at Gowran Park winning in a hack canter. By Kingmambo he will love the fast ground and he is reported to be one of the better juveniles at Ballydoyle this term. He looks to be the yards main hope in the race and there are big vibes coming out about Henrythenavigator. As the yards has a strong record in the race you have to take note and he looks a big player. Pencil Hill impressed last time over 5f having won over 6f on debut. He has a nice turn of foot but he was all out over 6f on debut and that would be a worry for me as I would expect him to be there abouts 1f out but I wouldn’t be sure if he could hang on in that final furlong. Peter Chapple – Hyam fields 3 entries in this and all three look really nice types. Declaration of War is the one with the most experience having twice ran and twice been successful. Having won a decent maiden on his debut at Newmarket he should a really strong turn of foot to win the Woodcote at Epsom and was staying on strongly at the end. Winker Watson who hasn’t been seen since winning a moderate Newbury maiden shapes well at home but is no star. Orientalist Art the other entry will be ridden by Seb Sanders and he ran a race full of promise at Newmarket on debut. However he will not have it easy to reverse the form with the winner Luck Money. He is reported to be the most likely runner from the yard but that worries me as I would have Prefered to have seen Declaration Of War who has stronger form. Paul Cole’s intended runner showed a lot of early speed that day and quickened up nicely inside the 2f pole. He has been working very well since that run and a big run is expected.

Summary:
Richard Hannon who had the 2nd last year in Major Cadeaux doesn’t look to have a big hand this time round. His best on form would probably be Berbice who stayed on well behind Declaration Of War in the Woodcote last time. A big strong sort he looks the type to do better when upped to 7f in due course. Both Blues Minor and Billion Dollar Kid are highly regarded but would face hard tasks making their debut in a race like this. Barry Hills however does have a couple of nice types in this and I was very impressed with Bobs Surprise when he made a winning debut at Goodwood a couple of weeks back. Beating a few nice types he powered clear under a hands and heels drive and looked sure ot improve for the run. He showed plenty of speed that day and once asked to quicken he done it in very good style. He strikes me as a very smart prospect and I can see him running a big race in this. His stable mate Dark Angel was not disgraced behind a smart sort on debut and put that experience to good use when winning at Chester next time out. He was slowly away on that occasion but stayed on nicely to collect. The form has been let down since but he is a likeable type and 6f will suit. Bobs Surprise looks the better of the two but Dark Angel certainly looks up to listed class. Art Advisor done the job well last time and could go well for his connections but the form of his win doesn’t look up to this whilst Burnwynd Boy and Aaim To Storm who thought out what has been a good trial for this race in recent years also don’t quick look up to it. Al Muheer would be the one at big odds I would look to having stayed on very well last time in the National Stakes behind two very highly regarded fillies who now head for the Queen Mary. He may be a big price here as he is still a maiden but I’m confident he will be nearer first than last. Newbury maiden winner Coasting was very impressive that day and the form has worked out very well. Despite not getting the best of luck in running he came with a late run under Mick Kinane and won with a bit to spare. Amanda Perrett has a good record here and I wouldn’t rule this horse out in a race where he will get a strong gallops and he showed at Newbury that he had a decent turn of foot and a very good attitude despite the ground being a bit on the slow side. Fast ground he will be ideal and I quite like his chances. The final one I like is my idea of a big player and that is Mick Channon’s Yem Kinn. The yards horses always come on for their debuts and this horse ran a pleasing race when beating some nice type son debut. The 2nd is held in high regard by Mark Johnston and the 3rd Swiss Franc who reopposes here won well next time at Newmarket before chasing home Mick Channon’s best colt Hatta Fort at Windsor. The 4th Ruff Diamond is also expected to run here and he won very well next time. Yem Kinn holds all of them on form and what’s more he has course experience which is normally vital. He works very well at home just behind Hatta Fort and has looked as if he would be even better over 6f. The ground was a bit slow for him at Ascot but his class saw him through and he has really improved. Connections think the world of him and Mick Channon knows what it takes to win this contest. Yem Kinn has looked very useful at home and comes here with plenty of yard confidence behind him. Of the remainder Brian Meehan has booked Jamie Spencer on Earnie Owl who is making his debut in this, he is reportedly very sharp and useful but needs to be to win this. Overall this is a very strong renewal and Warsaw is the one of the Irish runners I like. He has done enough to suggest he is decent and I expect him to be there or there abouts. However both Coasting and Yem Kinn really impressed me in their maidens and they both look to have potent turn of foots. Fast ground will suit and they both look exciting sorts. I think they represent big each way players. Bobs Surprise is the other I will be looking to back each way and Declaration Of War is the pick of Peter Chapple-Hyam’s for me if he runs, it’s a pity he is a doubtful runner at present. Henrythenavigator is certainly going to be short after such an impressive win on debut and is already favourite for the Guineas next year he has to be considered. However for me this is between the Channon and Perrett horses who made pleasing debuts in above average maidens. Preference is for Yem Kinn who beat a whole host of winners last time and won with a lot in hand. 6f will really suit him and he has plenty going for him in what will be a fast run contest.