Engels out to loosen O’Brien’s grip on Phoenix

TOMORROW’S Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh promises to be one of the hottest juvenile races of the season and trainer David Brown sends Frederick Engels in the hope of interrupting Aidan O’Brien’s domination of the Group 1 contest.

The progressive colt won the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot before beating Roman Soldier, who had finished just behind Power in the Coventry Stakes, in Newmarket’s July Stakes.

The son of Iceman appeared to relish the step up to six furlongs when arriving late on the scene to beat Roman Soldier, who has recently been sold to race abroad.