Caravaggio 'could be a bit special'

Newcomer Caravaggio justified strong market support to take the opener at Dundalk, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Available at 11/10 in opening shows last night, the son of Scat Daddy soon went odds-on and went off the clear 1/3 favourite under Seamie Heffernan.

Settled in third he was pushed along to lead a furlong out and soon went clear, going on to score by a length and three parts for trainer Aidan O'Brien. Lundy completed a 1, 2 for O’Brien as he kept on well to take second under Donnacha O’Brien at the odds of 10/1.

Joseph O'Brien said afterwards: "They are two nice horses and the winner could be a bit special.

"The Scat Daddy is very fast and Dad thinks an awful lot of him. Probably Royal Ascot is high on the agenda.

"He looks the real deal I think. Everyone that has sat on him has loved him and he didn't disappoint today.

"He was green but it's his first day away and he's never been round a bend either."

Paddy Power go 12/1 about the winner for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson