Phoenix Of Spain was a surprise winner of the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas, defeating favourite Too Darn Hot for Charlie Hills and Jamie Spencer.
The Classic had been billed as a showdown between 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia and Too Darn Hot, who was rerouted to the race after being beaten in the Dante Stakes at York, which serves as a primary trial for the Investec Derby.
But instead Phoenix Of Spain cut out most of the running under Spencer and, despite Frankie Dettori travelling well into the race on Too Darn Hot, the pair had no answer to the winner through the final furlong.
Third went to Decrypt, with 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia in trouble a fair way from home.
Paddy Power reacted to the victory by making Phoenix Of Spain their 6-4 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (from 12) with Too Darn Hot pushed out to as big as 4-1 for the same race.
On form a case could be made for Phoenix Of Spain, as he finished off his juvenile season with a head second to Magna Grecia in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster, and he had also filled the same position behind Too Darn Hot in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, also at Doncaster.
Hello Youmzain upsets Calyx with decisive victory in Sandy Lane Stakes
Calyx, who? The 2-13 favourite, who was the ante-post market leader for the Commonwealth Cup after three victories, was firmly put in his place by Hello Youmzain, who coasted clear under Kevin Stott in the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes.
Kevin Ryan’s three-year-old tracked the early pace set by Royal Intervention and although he looked in trouble when Calyx loomed up between the final two furlongs, he cleared away from the well-fancied runner to win with plenty in hand.
Calyx missed the break but was in a good position to strike as the leader quickened. He was found wanting close to home, though, and barely hung on for second under Robert Havlin.
Hello Youmzain will bid to enhance the recent good record of winners of this race in the Commonwealth Cup. The last three Sandy Lane victors have achieved form figures of 122 at Royal Ascot.
Stott said: “This horse has been a legend for me. He ran in the Greenham and didn’t stay, so we dropped him back to six. He has a lot of speed, we got a lovely tow and he quickened up well.
“He’s a very good horse. We’ll leave the decision up to Kevin and the owner regarding Royal Ascot, but he’s very good. This is what Saturdays are all about.”
Havlin said of Calyx: “Everything went smooth and he travelled lovely through the race. I was getting a bad feeling he wasn’t going to pick up. There was nothing there and he almost ran like a horse having his first run.
“I rode him ten days ago and he flew. I fully expected him to come here and win ten lengths but hopefully there’s something we can iron out there.”
Royal Intervention stuck on well to take third, while True Mason finished last of the four.
Hello Youmzain was given quotes of 8-1 (from 20) for the Commonwealth Cup.
