Matteo holds on for Trophy honours at Beverley Kevin Ryan’s Matteo maintained his unbeaten record and showed a different side to his game in the Beverley Two Year Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes. When winning on his debut at the track he displayed his blistering early speed and that was once again shown in abundance. He looked to have the race in safe keeping when going two lengths clear over a furlong out. However, he began to idle in the closing stages and Ronson, who had been slowly away, came with a late rattle. The winning line arrived in time for Matteo (11-10 favourite) with Kevin Stott’s mount holding on by a short head. Ryan said: “He’s such a lovely, game horse. He’s got loads of talent. “He’s very, very relaxed. He’ll have learned an awful lot today, I think – I don’t think he learned an awful lot the last day because he had it so easy. “He’s had to have a little bit of a race today. It always looked like he was going to do it. Hopefully we’ll go to Royal Ascot now. “The form is there to see. He’s very talented. He’ll possibly get six, but I’m not making decisions like that just yet. I think he’ll handle a bit more cut in the ground, but good is all he’s run on.” Stott added: “He’s just a genuine, very nice horse. He’s very good on this ground and he’s got great speed. He’s just a very down to earth horse to deal with. He takes everything in his stride. He’s very laid-back and does what you want him to do.” Paddy Power left the winner unchanged at 20-1 for the Norfolk Stakes.
