Favourite Fernandez takes Round Tower Stakes

After two defeats to the crack Godolphin juvenile Pinatubo at Royal Ascot and Goodwood, Aidan O'Brien's Lope Y Fernandez (11/8 fav) bounced back to winning ways with an authoritative length and a half success in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes. Guildsman (5/1) kept on for second, with the winner’s stablemate Fort Myers (6/1) just as short head further back in third.

The winner, dropping in trip to 6f for the first time, travelled well all the way before quickening to the front under two furlongs out, and from there he asserted to win in good style.

“He was impressive on debut and ran very well in the Chesham behind a good horse,” said winning rider Ryan Moore.

“He was a bit disappointing at Goodwood, maybe just running downhill on quick ground. The winner is a good horse but I don't think he fired that day and I don't think that was his true running, I'm not quite sure why.

“Back here over six he's beaten a good horse in Guildsman who was placed in the Coventry.

“He was very smooth through the whole race and always felt like the winner. Hopefully he'll go on from here, he's a nice colt and he'll be a three-year-old for sure.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson