Brando now has Nunthorpe target Kevin Ryan will aim Brando at the Nunthorpe Stakes at York following a cosy success in the Group Three Coral Charge at Sandown. A winner of two of his three starts as a three-year-old, he has shown some smart form this season, winning at Newmarket and just denied in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. The son of Pivotal was well suited to the easy ground and made the most of it under Tom Eaves. Lancelot Du Lac set a reasonable pace in the five-furlong dash, with Spirit Quartz tracking on the outer. But Eaves always had a double handful and, having sat fourth for the first couple of furlongs, Brando pulled himself into the race and was in front approaching two furlongs out. He soon put daylight between himself and his rivals, and Eaves even had a long look round with a furlong and a half to go. He idled in front and while Monsieur Joe made up plenty of late ground to get within a short head of the winner, the 2-1 favourite was always holding Adam Kirby's mount. The pair put five lengths between themselves and Jane's Memory. The Pat Shanahan trained Taexali ran a highly creditable race, finishing a never nearer fourth at the odds of 50/1. Ryan is now looking at stepping Brando up in class. He said: "It was a long last furlong. He was travelling so well between the two and one, he was getting a bit lonely out in front, but was very impressive, really. "It was a fair decision to run here, because there was that good sprint at Ascot worth a lot of money but we decided that the horse was so well that we decided to run him and take his chance. "He will go for the Nunthorpe now. He is so versatile over five and six furlongs. We will really hang on to him now and give him something to aim at. "He was impressive and travelled so strongly. Tom was having a look round. It was difficult for Tom because he wanted to get out and into a position, but nothing went quick enough for him. They went a fair gallop and there were plenty off the bridle behind him. He has such a high cruising speed for such a young horse. "He is not ground-dependent and is so versatile. He's just a lovely horse to deal with. "He is in the King George at Goodwood, but will go straight to the Nunthorpe now." RaceBets cut Brando to 9-1 from 20-1 for the Nunthorpe on August 19.
