Racing Centre

Adagio riding in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes in October 2006

SIR MICHAEL Stoute will be hoping to add to his extraordinary record in the Stan James 2000 Guineas after Adagio gave a fine display in taking the banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes. Stoute already has five 2000 Guineas victories on his C.V and Adagio may just have the talent to make it six of the best if he can build on an ultimately comfortable one-and-a-half length victory from Sonny Red in the Group 3.

This afternoon’s triumph wasn’t entirely straightforward as the son of Grand Lodge met some trouble in running. But his class told in the end and he showed a good turn of foot to overhaul the Jamie Spencer-ridden Sonny Red for a 5-4 success. Stan James responded by cutting Adagio from 14-1 to 5s for May 5’s 2000 Guineas, back at the Nat West Rowley Mile.

McEvoy said: "We didn’t have a smooth run and I was a little bit unsure about where to angle him to get the run. I had to duck back to the inside. "He got a little bump - accidental, of course - from Jamie’s horse at the bottom of The Dip. That just unbalanced him a bit. But he quickened up well and once he got to the front he knew that he had done the job. It was a very easy win. I only gave him one smack and that was it."

Stoute added: "He wrapped it up quickly, so I am delighted. They all do well from two to three but his physical development has been very pleasing."

Yaqeen could also be making a swift return to the track for a Guineas appearance after she broke her maiden in the Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. She is now just 8-1 for the Stan James 1000 Guineas, having secured a two-length victory on what was her second start

Two course records were broken on a day of fast times with Asset establishing a new best for six furlongs and Manduro doing the same for nine furlongs. The ultra-impressive Manduro struck by four lengths from last year’s 1000 Guineas heroine Speciosa in the Group 3 Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton. Winning trainer Andre Fabre said: "The Prix D’Ispahan will be his next target and then he will come back for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot."

Asset made light of a 302-day lay-off to win the Listed Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Abernant Stakes by two-and-a-half lengths from Assertive.

The day’s other winners were Chantilly Tiffany (the B.A.S.I.C Insurance Wood Ditton Stakes), Mookhlesa (the Wyck Hall Stud Maiden Fillies’ Stakes) and Metaphoric (the Curragh (Home Of The Irish Classics handicap).

Written by Tony Rushmer