Richard Hannon: “I think Ouzo has a proper chance”

ASCOT

2:35pm

Ouzo (Andrea Atzeni)

He wasn’t disgraced on heavy ground at Goodwood last time but a stiff mile back at Ascot, where he ran very well in the Royal Hunt Cup on the straight course, will be right up his street and he’s been dropped a couple of pounds too. We’ve kept him fresh at home this week and I think he has a proper chance.

 

NEWMARKET

2:50 G3 Sweet Solera Stakes

Ardbraccan (Rossa Ryan)

She ran a great race at Goodwood when not beaten far and she likes it around here having won over course and distance last month. This is a step in grade but she’s a filly we’ve always thought a lot of and I’ll be disappointed if she’s not on the premises at decent odds with Unibet.         

 

3:25 Nursery

South Audley (Liam Browne)

Everything went wrong for him at Goodwood last time where he was slow leaving the stalls and when he finally got into the race he was badly hampered and stumbled so I’m inclined to draw a line through that and if you focus on his impressive win at Nottingham before, he comes into this with a rock solid chance off a nice low weight under Liam Browne.

Desert Angel (David Probert)

He ran well over course and distance last week but I think he’ll be much more effective in Nursery Company (for the first time) and he’s really starting to come to himself so I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him bang there.

 

4:30pm

Lexington Dash (David Probert)

He’s got some smart form to his name and is having only his second run over 7 furlongs, but I think the extra yardage will help give him time to settle into a nice rhythm and this looks a very realistic opportunity.

 

5:00pm

Sir Rumi (Rossa Ryan)

He didn’t like the ground last time so will be much happier on the good to firm here and I think the step back down in trip will also suit. He’s a very talented colt with plenty of ability and merits serious consideration.

 

HAYDOCK

3:00pm

Eloquent Arthur (Pat Dobbs)

He’s a real nice horse with a very gutsy attitude who is extremely consistent and was probably a little bit unlucky last time. This is his grade and the trip and ground should suit so I can’t see any reason why he won’t go well.

 

4:10pm

Fancy Man (Pat Dobbs)

He’s a good horse but for one reason or another things haven’t entirely gone his way, but he’s had a nice break and been freshened up since his last run in May and he likes it around here having won as a two-year-old. This is a competitive race but he’s fit and well and I wouldn’t be writing him off just yet.

 

LINGFIELD

5:05pm

Grand Scheme

He’s got to carry top weight but he’s been in good form at home and this looks a pretty suitable opportunity. We are going right up in trip and switching to the all weather and I’m hopeful he can run well.

 

5:35pm

Mind Hunter

He’s quite well named because sometimes he does let his mind runaway with him a little bit but we’ve had him gelded and he is much better at home now and seems to be concentrating on his work.  You couldn’t fancy him on his first run but he’s better than that and with a bit of luck we’ll see a better performance here.

 

6:05pm

Loquace

I think she was unlucky not to win at Ascot last time because she stumbled badly leaving the stalls yet did well to finish where she did. That was a good effort and on that evidence she’d have to come into this with a very good chance.