Verrazano to step up in trip Aidan O'Brien is planning to step Verrazano up in distance after he had to settle for second behind Toronado in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. The American import made a pleasing beginning to his career with the Ballydoyle handler when third in the Lockinge but always looked to be going a shade quicker than he wanted here, although he stuck to his guns to go under by just three-quarters of a length. O'Brien said: "I'm delighted with him. That was a big run, I'd say an improvement from the Lockinge. He got warm, but he got warm before the Lockinge didn't he? I don't think it bothers him. He kept going well and will get a bit further so all those races like the Eclipse, Juddmonte and Irish Champion are open to him."
