Peace Envoy wins Anglesey battle

Aidan O'Brien will set the bar higher still for Peace Envoy after he gave the master of Ballydoyle his 10th success in the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh.

Already with five previous runs under his belt, including a fourth in the Norfolk Stakes before his runner-up finish in the Railway Stakes, the Power colt was the 3/1 second-favourite behind Coventry Stakes third Psychedelic Funk, who was sent off a shade of odds-on.

Ambiguity and Mirdif cut out the running and all appeared to be going to plan when the favourite was angled out to make his challenge over a furlong out.

He found less than expected, though, whereas Ryan Moore was just hitting top gear on Peace Envoy, who swooped nearest the stands side rails to land the Group Three by a length and three-quarters.

"He's getting better, this horse, and is progressing well," said O'Brien.

"He's a big horse. We thought he would progress and he is. You'd have to be very happy with him there.

"Every week he is getting better. He's getting bigger and stronger and his mind is coming lovely. Ryan was very happy with him.

"Ryan was very confident after riding him the last day as he knew the horse well. He felt that he just didn't get the run last time but he was very confident on him today."

He went on: "He could come back here for the Phoenix Stakes if Caravaggio doesn't come or he could go for the Morny. The lads will decide. We had originally been thinking that Caravaggio might come back here so this fellow could go to Deauville but we'll see.

"On today you wouldn't say he wouldn't get seven furlongs.

"He reminds me very much of Rock Of Gibraltar. Knowing 'Rock', he's very much like him, although he has a long way to come, obviously."

O'Brien reported Caravaggio to be "in great form" since his Royal Ascot success in the Coventry Stakes.