Suit blown away by Zoffany

ZOFFANY shot to the head of the betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas by taking the notable scalp of Strong Suit in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

The latter was sent off at 4-9, 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.