Richard Hannon: “If the rain stays away he has a very big shout”

EPSOM

2:00 Woodcote Stakes

This is a race dad won a few times and I first won it with Baitha Alga in 2014 who went on to win the Norfolk before Legendary Lunch (2016) and De Bruyne Horse finished first past the post in 2017 so it’s a race we have a decent record in and hopefully we have two nice chances this year. 

Raging (Pat Dobbs)

I was impressed with his attitude at Haydock last time where he stayed on really well to the line so the step up to six furlongs is a big plus and he’s learning all the time. They are going to go off very quick in this, as they always do, so expect to see him doing his best work at the end and I don’t think he’ll have any issues with the ground. He is a smart colt so with a bit of luck he can run a big race.

Zoltan Star (Sean Levey)

He is quite a speedy horse who got beaten in a blanket finish at Chester last time on ground that was probably too soft for him but he still ran a great race and has been in good form at home including in a piece of work last week. To be honest he was one of our early two-year-olds who has always shown plenty at home so we really fancied him to win at Windsor but things didn’t pan out there and he didn’t lose much in defeat last time.

I think the track will be a big plus, as will the step up in trip, and if the rain stays away he has a very big shout.

It’s relatively quiet for us this weekend at Epsom but we have plenty of decent chances elsewhere including Model Actress in the 8pm at Goodwood. She had a nice run around Kempton last year for experience and we pulled her out of Windsor last month because of the ground but she’s a very nice filly who has improved a lot over the winter so I’m expecting a big show from her. South Audley might need his first run but is a smart colt in the making and he’d be worth keeping an eye on in the Novice at 6pm.