CURRAGH REPORT:ZOFFANY SHOT to the head of the betting for next year's 2,000 Guineas by taking the notable scalp of Strong Suit in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

The latter was sent off at 4 to 9, having overcome plenty of trouble in running to win the Coventry Stakes, and had been spoken of in glowing terms by trainer Richard Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes.

While Zoffany came into the race in search of a hat-trick following successive Leopardstown successes, he was beaten over eight lengths by Strong Suit at Royal Ascot.

All appeared to be going well for Hannon’s charge as he travelled strongly at the head of affairs, but he came under pressure from the one-furlong marker and Zoffany (3 to 1) was still cruising for Johnny Murtagh.

There were a few moments worry for supporters of Aidan O’Brien’s youngster as he struggled to find a way through. But once the split did come, he quickened smartly to win by a cosy half a length. Glor Na Mara narrowly denied Strong Suit to get the runner-up spot.

It was, incredibly, O’Brien’s 11th win from the last 13 runnings of the Group One contest. O’Brien said: “He went to Ascot as a baby and it all happened a little bit too fast for him. We stepped him up in trip so things would happen a bit slower.

“The plan was to get him relaxed and Johnny was very cool on him and gave him a great ride. He’s getting heavier all of the time and he’s a lot stronger and more mature now.

“As long as he keeps putting on weight we’ll keep going with him. We’ll take it one step at a time but the National Stakes (Curragh, September 11th) looks a likely option.”

Richard Hannon jnr said of vanquished favourite Strong Suit: “We’ll bring him home and get him scoped but we’re not making any excuses.”

William Hill now make Zoffany, who has won his late three races, the new 8 to 1 favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Strong Suit, who had previously held top spot in the ante-post betting for the Newmarket Classic, is out to 10 to 1 (from 5s) with the same firm.

Zoffany’s Group One triumph was the third leg of a fine treble on the card for his trainer and jockey, with stablestar Fame And Glory recording a workmanlike success in the Group Two Keeneland Royal Whip Stakes.

The Coronation Cup winner eventually wore down his pacemaking stablemate Dixie Music to score by three and a half lengths.

“It’s good to get him back on a good start again as we gave him a mid-season break,” the Ballydoyle handler said of the 1 to 12 favourite.

“His next run could be in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown or the Arc trial at Longchamp. After that we’ll have a look at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“He has progressed well all season and his performance here in the Tattersalls Stakes (in May) was very good.”

The first leg of the Ballydoyle three-timer was brought up by 2 to 1 shot Spin, who made almost every yard of the running in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. “She’s a nice staying filly, she likes the Curragh mile,” said O’Brien. “She stays well and is a good mover with no ground preference.”

Laughing Lashes reversed recent Leopardstown placings with Together when landing the Group Two Keeneland Debutante Stakes.

Jessica Harrington’s grey was a length behind O’Brien’s filly in the Silver Flash Stakes but while the latter struggled to finish third, Fran Berry and Laughing Lashes (5 to 1) stayed on to deny Misty For Me by a length.

Nina Carberry guided Champion Boy (11 to 4) to a clear-cut victory in the Ladies Qualified Riders Association Fegentri World Championship Race.