Ten Sovereigns is 2019 Guineas favourite for No Nay Never

A brilliant season for No Nay Never’s first-crop continued on Saturday when Aidan O’Brien saddled Ten Sovereigns (2c No Nay Never-Seeking Solace, by Exceed And Excel) to storm away with the G3 Round Tower Stake at the Curragh.

A seven-length maiden winner at the same course on his debut, the colt looked a top-class prospect when powering clear in this six-furlong event to win by three and three-quarter lengths. He is now 7/1 favourite for next year’s G1 2,000 Guineas with bookmaker Ladbrokes.

“You’d have to be very happy,” Aidan O’Brien commented. “He seemed to do everything right and he has a good, big, open stride. At least now going to the G1 Middle Park, he’s had two runs and he should have enough experience. We’ll look forward to that now.

“He would have learned more today as he followed horses so that was great and Donnacha was very happy with him. He travels very strong and has a lot of speed and you'd be delighted to see the last furlong. He got there and opened up then.

“He's definitely fast but he's relaxed and he's very clear winded so you'd say looking at him today he shouldn't have any problem with seven furlongs. He has a lovely mind, even into the stalls, and everything is very easy. He does the same in the race, he's very easy through the race.”

Asked about the Guineas distance, O’Brien added: ”We’ll see about a mile, but often if they are good enough they'll get a mile okay. He should have every chance of getting it."

Jockey Donnacha O’Brien echoed his father’s thoughts on the colt, who he also feels is a hugely-exciting prospect.

“He looks very smart and feels like the real deal,” said the jockey. “We’ll find out when he steps up to Group 1 company, but he couldn’t be doing any better. He pings the gates and went past Seamus’s filly (Fantasy) like she was stopping.

“He has a fantastic brain and does everything right - he lobs down to the start and stands like a lamb in the stalls.”