WILTSHIRE trainer Richard Hannon went as far as to compare the unbeaten juvenile Ivawood with his top-class miler Toronado after a clinical victory on a sodden opening afternoon of Newmarket's July Festival.

Not ready for Ascot, having made his debut only a few days earlier at Sandown, Ivawood was up against several with strong form from the Royal meeting but he beat them hands-down.

There is a long way to go before the 3-1 favourite has matched the achievements of Sussex and Queen Anne Stakes winner Toronado, but he flowed along from the front and finished up two and three-quarter lengths ahead of the Coventry Stakes third Jungle Cat.

"I had a funny old draw (one) so I thought I'd let him bowl along and see how good he is and he was very impressive," said jockey Richard Hughes.

"He was the last one to pull up, so that's a good sign."

Everleigh and Herridge handler Hannon, who won the Norfolk at Royal Ascot with Baitha Alga, said: "Although he was lacking in experience, he was probably a bit fresher than Jungle Cat.

"Physically he feels like a three-year old, so hopefully there is a lot more to come.

"I think he's our stand-out two-year-old, and probably as good a two-year-old as anyone's seen this season. He looks a Guineas horse all over to me, so we'll bear that in mind.

"He is a bit like Toronado physically and that is not a bad comparison to have. We'll be looking at the Middle Park, and maybe the Gimcrack depending on how he comes out of this."

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