True Love provides O'Brien with sixth Cheveley Park success while Wise Approach shows resilience to claim Middle Park Stakes

Two-year-old racing reached fever pitch at Newmarket yesterday as True Love and Wise Approach delivered contrasting but equally compelling victories in the afternoon's Group 1 features, providing Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Appleby with prestigious juvenile prizes.

True Love Powers to Cheveley Park Glory

True Love justified favouritism in emphatic style to give O'Brien his sixth victory in the Cheveley Park Stakes, powering clear under Wayne Lordan to defeat the improving Havana Anna by three-quarters of a length, with the Lowther Stakes winner Royal Fixation a length back in third.

The imposing daughter of No Nay Never travelled strongly behind the pace set by Fitzella before being sent forward to take command two furlongs out. Once asked for her effort by Lordan, the 2/1 favourite quickly had the race in safe keeping, her head going down in characteristic fashion as she powered clear of her rivals.

With Coolmore holding some concerns about the Guineas trip of a mile for her, True Love has emerged as a leading contender for next year's Commonwealth Cup after this authoritative display, with connections likely to consider a Breeders' Cup engagement before putting her away for the winter.

Wise Approach's Remarkable Recovery

Earlier on the card, Wise Approach produced a remarkable performance to get up and win the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in what will surely rank as one of the most dramatic juvenile performances of the season.

The Charlie Appleby-trained 11/8 favourite had a real scare when the stalls opened for the Group 1 contest, stumbling quite badly. William Buick, maintaining his partnership despite the setback, found himself at the rear of the field and then had to switch widest of all to make his challenge.

For much of the race, it appeared that Brussels looked all over the winner for Aidan O'Brien, before Wise Approach appeared from seemingly nowhere. Despite drifting to his left, the burst of the Godolphin runner was enough to conquer Brussels by three-quarters of a length, with Coppull just short-head behind. A stewards' inquiry was called following the close finish between Brussels and Coppull, but the placings remained unaltered.

Appleby was understandably impressed by his charge's resilience: "It is some performance to be fair to the horse. All joking apart, of course we never expected to stumble coming out of the stalls, but the plan was to drop in".

The trainer revealed tactical adjustments from the colt's previous run, explaining: "I felt in the Prix Morny (finished third), William gave him a great ride, but when he gave him a kick he was electric that day and then I felt the horse just pulled up in front, so I did say to William 'put him there on the line today'".

"Full credit to William and full credit to the horse – he's got an engine".

Classic Potential Emerges

O'Brien was philosophical about Brussels' defeat, seeing plenty of positives in the performance: "He's a big, strong, fast horse and we were delighted with that run really. He looked good first time out, but he's been a bit babyish and he was babyish again today".

Clive Cox was equally pleased with Coppull's close third: "He's run a wonderful race and backed up the display that he put up in the Richmond. I'm very proud of him and I think we can all look forward to next year with a lot of hope and confidence that he's going to maintain that Group 1 effort".