Charlie Appleby’s Pinatubo has been made the 13.00 favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas following his impressive display in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

The two-year-old is now unbeaten in his three career starts after proving a level above his rivals in the Class 1 contest. Aidan O’Brien’s Lope Y Fernandez went into the race as the 5/4 favourite and Ryan Moore made his move down the centre of the track.

However, Pinatubo soon cut that off and powered clear to win with a time of 1.25.73. After winning on debut at Wolverhampton, Pinatubo then tasted success at Epsom Downs and Appleby was delighted with his hat-trick run as he continues to progress.

He said: “I’m delighted – he came here with the right credentials. He surprised me first time up when he won at Wolverhampton, but learnt plenty. We went to Epsom confident on the back of that and he showed an impressive turn of foot that day.

“I was confident throughout the race today that we were going to get the business done. “We’ll step up in class now, obviously. Something like the Vintage Stakes (at Goodwood) could be for him, the way he travels. The National Stakes (at the Curragh) wouldn’t be out of the question later.”

Lope Y Fernandez is also expected to run in next year’s 2000 Guineas and he is 26.00 to come out on top. Despite failing to win on Saturday, O’Brien believes he did well in the circumstances.

O’Brien said: “He ran a lovely race. He has only had one run 15 days ago, so you have to be happy with the run really. We were happy with our horse.

“I think the trip looks good and he will stay further in time. I’m not sure we would look at the Superlative. He is only a baby and I’d be thinking we might give him a little more time, but we will see.”