Warsaw

The record reads one win and a place from three races, meaning Warsaw has found the frame in two of every three outings. That is a solid foundation for a horse still finding his feet, but what stands out more is the detail behind the Navan run. Jockey Jack Cleary reported that Warsaw, who started that day over five furlongs, would have no trouble stretching to seven. For a young horse to travel smoothly, do everything right in the race, and leave his rider convinced he has more in reserve — that is the hallmark of a horse with genuine upside. O'Brien described him as professional, which in racing terms is high praise: it means the horse is switched on, not wasting energy, and ready to learn.

The yard behind Warsaw is worth noting too. Based at Cashel in County Tipperary, Aidan O'Brien's operation has sent out 144 winners already this season — a volume that speaks for itself. When a trainer of that scale singles out a young horse for a race like the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, it cuts through the noise. The Coventry is one of the top races in Britain for two and three-year-olds, and it draws horses from across Europe. Warsaw heading there would be a serious step up, but the early signs suggest he might just be built for it.