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Bow Echo retained his unbeaten status with a scintillating display in the Betfred 2000 Guineas for George Boughey and Billy Loughnane.

The son of Night Of Thunder had undergone a "faultless prep" according to his trainer and after an unbeaten three-race juvenile campaign, which culminated in a comfortable victory in the Royal Lodge on the Rowley Mile, hopes were high as he returned looking to give George Boughey a first 2000 Guineas.

With Breeders' Cup hero Gstaad and Dewhurst Stakes third Distant Storm in opposition, Bow Echo was sent off a 9/2 chance to defend his unbeaten title.

His supporters had very little to worry about as an ice-cool Billy Loughnane eased his mount into contention towards the near side and when the jockey said 'go', the pair shot the front entering the final furlong.

Gstaad to his credit battled away gallantly up the centre of the track but he was ultimately second best as Bow Echo powered away inside the final furlong to score by an authoritative two- and three-quarter lengths, emulating the shock success of his father twelve years ago.

Distant Storm, who was the 3/1 joint-favourite with Gstaad, finished eight lengths away in third.