Brando scores again first time out as Ryan strengthens grip on Group 3

Kevin Ryan proved he is truly the master of the Group 3 Abernant Stakes as Brando, who was winning first time out for the fourth year in a row, gave the trainer his fourth win in the Group 3 in the last five years.

Brando, who also won the race last year, was held up at the back of the field by Tom Eaves before coming through to easily get the better of Sir Dancealot by three-quarters of a length. Andre Fabre's hot favourite Le Brivido disappointed on his drop back to 6f, after appearing to not handle the dip.

Abernant Stakes result and replay

Ryan had previously won the race with Hamza in 2014 and Astaire in 2015, to go with Brando's success last year, and the trainer said: "We were going to take him to Dubai, but he wasn't quite right.

"Tracy, who looks after him, said he has really turned a corner and it's great when you get feedback like that.

"He has had a wind op over winter but he does so every year as it's just a minor thing. I don't know for sure where we'll go next as we intend to space his races out this year, but I would like to take him back to York for the Duke of York next month."

Brando was running for the first time since having his wind tweaked and his impressive performance saw him earn a 14-1 quote from Paddy Power for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Godolphin's Harry Angel is the 4-1 market leader.

Projection cut out the running under Kieran Shoemark and there was almost a line of eight just over a furlong from home – Perfect Pasture and One Master were non-runners – before Brando asserted to score at odds of 9-2.

Last year's Jersey Stakes winner Le Brivido was trying 6f for the first time in just over a year, with Fabre considering a campaign over a mile for the four-year-old.

Runner-up Sir Dancealot was placed for a second time in a Group race at Newmarket, and trainer David Elsworth said: "He ran well considering he hasn't come in his coat and we might look at seven furlongs next time."

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