Persian Force stamps class on July Stakes

Coventry Stakes runner-up too good at Newmarket.

Persian Force enhanced the Hannon family’s fine record in the Close Brothers July Stakes with a taking victory on the opening day of Newmarket’s July Festival.

Richard Hannon senior won the Group Two contest six times during his training career, while his son was winning the race for the second year in a row and takes his overall total in the six-furlong event to four.

Runner-up in the Coventry Stakes, Persian Force was always well positioned in the early stages tracking leading duo Show Respect and King’s Crown.

As the field passed the two-furlong pole, Rossa Ryan quickly made the move to grab the stands-side rail. Once there, the son of Mehmas was always in command and kept on powerfully to stride out for a cosy success.

It was the perfect way for the Amo Racing-owned Persian Force to get back to winning ways and followed in his sire’s footsteps by building on a second at Royal Ascot to land the July Stakes.

In the aftermath Coral cut the youngster to 8-1 (from 12-1) for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, while he is now 33-1 (from 50-1) for next season’s 2000 Guineas with the same firm.

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