Coventry Stakes 2017: Stack charge can take Command

The Coventry Stakes traditionally attracts the cream of the early two-year-olds and has been won by subsequent Classic winners Henrythenavigator, Canford Cliffs and Dawn Approach since the turn of the century. The former was trained by Aidan O'Brien to get the better of Swiss Franc in 2007 and the master of Ballydoyle is now the most successful trainer in the history of the Coventry.

Indeed, Caravaggio was giving O'Brien an eighth victory in the race when beating Mehmas 12 months ago and the betting suggests Declarationofpeace could be the leading contender from Ballydoyle this time round. He showed plenty of ability when third on his racecourse bow at Navan and duly built on the promise of that effort with a most impressive victory at Dundalk last time. He is beautifully bred (by War Front and a half-brother to the US Grade 1 winner Honor Code) and looks destined for better things, with step up to six furlongs expected to see him in an even better light.

Jessica Harrington has made a terrific start to the season and her Brother Bear is also entitled to plenty of respect here. The son of Kodiac is also unbeaten in two starts after a decisive victory in the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh recently and should go on improving. Aqabah, on the other hand, could only finish five and a quarter lengths fourth in the Marble Hill, but he appeared far less comfortable on the testing ground than the winner and deserves another chance to confirm the promise of his debut victory at Ascot.

The leading British-trained candidate for the Coventry race would appear to be Denaar, however. He stepped up on his debut form when following up at Newbury last time - the same race that Mehmas won before finishing second in the Coventry last year - and was arguably value for more than the official winning margin. Trainer Richard Hannon is also responsible for De Bruyne Horse, who produced one of the best efforts by a two-year-old this year when winning the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom and is obviously well worth his place in pattern company

Meanwhile, Joseph O'Brien might not have won the Coventry in his years as a jockey, but his True Blue Moon showed a useful level of ability when successful at Naas last time. He certainly looks worth his place at the Royal meeting and could be joined by Beckford, who shaped encouragingly when becoming a first two-year-old winner for leading jumps trainer Gordon Elliott at the Curragh.

He is not guaranteed to line up at the Royal meeting, however, and it might be worth taking a chance on a horse that finished behind him on debut at the prices. The Fozzy Stack-trained Commander Grigio was three and a quarter lengths behind Beckford when fourth that day, but took a significant step forward to open his account back at the Curragh last time and looks just the precocious and professional type that can thrive in a race of this nature. He should still have more to offer after just two starts and is worth a small each-way bet at a general 20/1.

Recommendation:

Back Commander Grigio each-way for the Coventry Stakes at 20/1