Coventry winner for No Nay Never

Arizona (2c No Nay Never - Lady Ederle, by English Channel) provided his red hot sire with his tenth stakes winner when justifying favouritism to land the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The bay was last seen blowing his opposition away in a Curragh maiden last month, which he won by eight lengths unchallenged. Once again ridden by Ryan Moore, he raced in midfield and was ridden to make headway approaching the final furlong, staying on well to lead close home. The winning margin was half a length, as Threat (Footstepsinthesand) stayed on to claim runners-up honours.

O’Brien later commented, “I was delighted with Arizona. Ryan gave him a great ride and he's a lovely horse who will stay further. He has loads of speed, but we always thought he'd have no problems getting seven furlongs; he's a fine big horse for next year.”

A €260,000 yearling purchase by MV Magnier, Arizona was bred by Stephen Sullivan out of a half-sister to Group 3 winner Fathayer and to the dam of Dabirsim. No Nay Never is no stranger to Royal Ascot success, having himself won the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes, while his first crop son Land Force finished third in the 2018 running.