Pencil in the picture for Coventry Stakes

/ Editor / 06 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Royal Ascot's six furlong Coventry Stakes looks like being the next stop for the speedy Irish-trained colt, Pencil Hill.

The unbeaten son of Acclamation initially caught the eye at Naas over six furlongs, prior to stepping back a furlong in trip to produce an even more impressive performance at the Curragh where he defeated You'resothrilling.

The latter, trained by Aidan O'Brien, has subsequently franked the form by scooping a Group 3 fillies' contest, and is now considered to be a potential live contender for Classic honours next season.

"Pencil Hill will probably go for the Coventry and he holds an entry in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Derby day as well. Those are the kind of races we'll be looking at for him.

"At the moment we won't revert back to five, I think he'll be better over a six-furlong trip. He's a nice colt," reported trainer Tracey Collins.

The Betfair ante-post market has yet to open for the Coventry, the curtain-raiser for this year's Royal Ascot meeting, however there's sure to be plenty of interest in Pencil Hill since Irish raiders have successfully plundered the Group 2 event no less than five times in the past 11 years.