Richard Hannon: “He could run a decent race at generous odds”

SANDOWN

2:25 Tahitian Prince (Sam Hitchcott) I wouldn’t say he’s one to trust entirely, and he probably hit the front a bit too soon at Windsor last time, so we’re swapping the cheek pieces for blinkers which will hopefully do the trick because he’s a smart horse, although he’s still plenty high enough in the weights. He worked well the other day and could run a decent race at generous odds with Unibet.

3:00 Heredia (Sean Levey) She’s been a superstar the whole way through and retained her unbeaten status in style at Royal Ascot last time where she went through the gaps and picked up nicely to score by a cosy length, going away. We were looking at the G1 Falmouth but it won’t be easy to beat Inspiral so we decided to come here instead because it’s still a very valuable prize and the stiff track will really suit. She is the most relaxed filly who has done everything we’ve asked so far and I’m very hopeful she can take this next step up the ladder in her stride.

4:45 Holiday (Sean Levey) He’s faced some tough tasks but is a colt who’s always shown plenty at home, but for one reason or another it hasn’t happened on the track yet. However, I think the step up in trip will definitely help and any rain would also aid his cause.

HAYDOCK

3:15 Fancy Man (Pat Dobbs) He probably did a little too much up front in the Unibet Magnolia Stakes at Kempton last time but still ran a decent race and wasn’t beaten far so we’ll try and hold on to him for a bit longer and he’s won around here before. The step back up in trip is a big plus and there’s plenty of rain forecast, which is also in his favour. He won’t be far away.

3:50 Zabbie (Danny Tudhope) She was very unlucky at Brighton last time when she would have won but got badly hampered and what happened there summed up my day. I remember watching it from the Press Room at Ascot after Lusail and Persian Force both finished second so she was never going to win judged on the way my luck was going! Joking aside, though, she has run very well in all three starts and has her first start in Handicap Company here where should could potentially be well treated off 72. She’s A Mirage (Pat Dobbs) The step up to six will help and she’s learning race by race. I suppose her first run at Newmarket behind Dramatised doesn’t look bad now and if she handles the ground she has a solid chance.

4:25 Tacarib Bay (Rossa Ryan) He’s been quite highly tried and to be honest this time last year I thought he was our Guineas horse but things haven’t entirely gone his way so I’m hoping the drop down to a Handicap for the first time will help his confidence. While it’s never that easy for three year olds taking on their elders at this stage of the season he’s a very smart colt who already boasts winning form at the track (on soft ground) and this looks a very good opportunity.

NOTTINGHAM

6:00 Mafia Power (Miss Lily Jones) He’s coming down to a low mark and has ability, although it’s fair to say this season’s form isn’t that inspiring and he definitely has to step up, but this is another step down in grade and hopefully he can make his presence felt.

6:30 Mehme (Dane O’Neill) She’s a nice filly by Acclamation who has been working well and ready for a run, but she’s bred for a bit further than this and I’d expect her to come on for it.

8:30 God Of Thunder (Dane O’Neill) He ran very well on the step up to this trip and on Handicap debut at Lingfield last time and he’s come out of that race in great shape. A reproduction of that effort would see him go very close here.