'He's really special' - Isaac Shelby emerges as a Guineas hope after Group 2 win

Saturday: bet365 Superlative Stakes, Newmarket

Isaac Shelby could be on his way to his namesake's backyard after extending his unbeaten record in a thrilling finish to the Group 2 bet365 Superlative Stakes.

The striking chestnut was named by his trainer Brian Meehan after the governor of the US state of Kentucky, where the Breeders' Cup is to be staged later this year, and he put himself in the frame in overcoming hot favourite Victory Dance.

Previously an impressive winner on his debut at Newbury in May, the son of Night Of Thunder backed that up to earn a 25-1 quote (from 50-1) from Paddy Power for next year's 2,000 Guineas.

Off a decent pace set by Dark Thirty, Isaac Shelby loomed large in the Dip when the five-strong field drifted over on to the fresh ground on the far rail.

Under a strong ride from Sean Levey, the winner was given a run for his money by the eventual second but in the end, the Robert Sangster colours of Isaac Shelby prevailed by a head, capping a good week for Meehan who had saddled Show Respect to finish second in the July Stakes on Thursday.

The trainer said: "He's really special. This is high-end stuff here so Isaac Shelby has really proved himself. He's always looked like a nice horse since he came in the yard last winter and has always been easy to deal with.

"He's a horse who was always going to improve and I think physically there is massive improvement in him.

"We'll bide or time before we make any plans going forward, but I see him as a four-run horse this season. Goodwood will come too soon and there is the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster I've thought about, and beyond that the Dewhurst."

Connections enjoy the moment in the winner's enclosure with their colt Isaac ShelbyCredit: Mark Cranham

Meehan has enjoyed success at the Breeders' Cup in the past having won the Turf twice, and this year's championships are already on the Manton trainer's radar. He said: "We like the Breeders' Cup and that is definitely in our minds as the Juvenile Turf would suit him well."

Charlie Appleby was seeking a fifth win in this contest in the past seven years with Victory Dance, but he was gracious in defeat, saying: "We were thinking about taking him to Goodwood after this, but we'll probably head for the National Stakes at the Curragh now which is a race we like."

The result also proved to be a shrewd choice by Levey, who gave up his regular ride on third-placed Dark Thirty to partner the winner, although he also picked up a two-day ban for careless riding.

Read more from Super Saturday:

July Cup: 'It won't be an alcohol-free weekend' - Rob Hornby revels in another Group 1

York: 'I couldn't believe my eyes' - stunning Royal Aclaim the new Nunthorpe favourite

Ascot: 'We can't duck Baaeed' - Chindit camp up for rematch after Summer Mile victory

Newmarket: It's a Jamie Spencer special in the Bunbury Cup - but not as we know it

The heat is on and dress codes eased but this glorious day belongs to Rob Hornby (£)

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