No trainer has won more Group 2 Coventry Stakes (1200m) than Aidan O’Brien, so it is little surprise to see the master of Ballydoyle with two live contenders in the 2026 edition.

It remains to be seen which horse Coolmore’s number one jockey Ryan Moore will ride, with both Confucius and Great Barrier Reef towards the top of the market following their recent impressive performances. The former suffered defeat on debut before striding clear for a commanding maiden success when upped to 1200m at Naas next start, while the latter picked up well to make it two from two in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes (1200m) at the Curragh.

Wathnan Racing have already enjoyed notable Royal Ascot success since their inception to the sport, and they might provide the most opposition to the Ballydoyle duo. Karl Burke is yet to win the Coventry, but he looks like saddling a live contender in the shape of Ruler’s Pride, who breezed to a comfortable three and a half length win over subsequent Hilary Needler scorer Crystal Queen on debut at Ayr.

"It was lovely to see what he did up at Ayr and the second has come out since and won the Hilary Needler,” said Richard Brown, racing advisor to Wathnan Racing. “The second is very well regarded and to do what he did to her first time out I think makes him a very good colt.

"I think he's got a very good chance and obviously you are against the might of Aidan and some of the very best two-year-olds we've seen so far so it's always a hard race to win, but I think he deserves to take his chance and hasn't done anything wrong so far."

The same silks have a potential high-class second string to their bow with fellow impressive debut winner Royal Heritage, while Archie Watson will be hoping that his comfortable four-length Yarmouth scorer Siouxperb - who has since changed hands to run in the colours of Valmont - can replicate Bradsell’s success in this race from four years ago.

George Scott’s exciting Mrair quickened up well second time out at Lingfield and is another with interesting claims for the home team.

Scott said: “Mrair did the job nicely on his second start at Lingfield. He did what we asked of him, and I left plenty to work on with him as well, he’s by no means the finished article.”

Debut winners Cut A Dash, Sergei Diaghilev, God Given Talent and Tribeca all require consideration, while the unbeaten Night In Vegas – who is two from two following a slender win at Ascot – couldn’t be ruled out for Eve-Johnson Houghton.

Photo: Healy Racing