3 minute read

Richard Hannon was magnanimous in defeat following Threat's (4/1) second-placed finish to 15/8 favourite Arizona in the G2 Coventry Stakes.

Threat, ridden by Tom Marquand, ran on strongly in the closing stages of the six-furlong event, finishing a half-length behind the winner.

Hannon commented: "We came here today to learn if he was a very good horse and that is exactly what we learned.

"He is a good colt and we can't wait for the rest of the year with Threat. He saw the trip out well.

"Threat is the sort of horse who will come out of the race fine. He is strong and mature.

"Hopefully, we can win a G1 with him at some stage this season."

Marquand reported: "Threat has run a great race. He has proven he is the horse we thought he was at home.

"It's a delight to see how good he is. We've got plenty of battles to fight yet and we're looking forward to the next day with him already."

The Archie Watson-trained Guildsman (6/1) was a further neck behind in third and the Lambourn handler said: "I was delighted with Guildsman.

"They have probably gone very quick in front and they have set the race up for the closers. I thought Threat's run in second was full of merit on the other side of the track, but I couldn't be happier with my lad.

"There is a very defined path for horses like him. He is a ready-made two-year-old and we will be looking for races like the July Stakes and the Richmond with him - I don't need to be very clever with him."

Oisin Murphy, rider of Guildsman, said: "It was a super run and I had a great run through. Everything happened the way I wanted it to, but he was just unfortunately not quite good enough."