Richard Hannon: “Moyassar is the one they have to catch. I fancy his chances”

SUNDAY – GOODWOOD

12:35 Handicap

Hurricane Alex (Pat Dobbs)

He’s a smart colt who is unlucky not to have won a race by now as he put up some very good performances last year so deserves to get his head in front. He’s been working very well and the step up to a mile and a quarter will be in his favour.

 

2:20 Listed Stakes

Moyassar (Jim Crowley)

He’s always been a very good horse who maintained a high level of form but sometimes he throws in the odd disappointing run so we gelded him over the winter and it seems to have made a man of him! He’s got loads of speed so a sharp six furlongs on a track like this is his optimum and on ratings he’s the one they all have to catch. I fancy his chances quite strongly.

 

DONCASTER

12:15 Maiden

Collinsbay (Ryan Moore)

He’s a lovely, strong colt by Cable Bay who has been very pleasing in his work and this looks an ideal opportunity to start him off. There’s every chance he’ll need it but he could easily be good enough to get the job done first time out.

 

2:00 Handicap

Embour (Ryan Moore)

He’s a real favourite in the yard with such a kind and lovely temperament and he deserves to win a decent handicap as he’s posted some very good efforts in defeat – not least when narrowly missing out in the Ayr Gold Cup by only two lengths! The Handicapper hasn’t taken any chances and has kept him on 95 but he’s a little fire rocket with plenty of speed and has a great attitude. He’s versatile ground wise and is in excellent form at home.

 

4:15 Handicap

Willa (Andrea Atzeni)

She’s a sweet little filly who is part owned by the wife of a certain Mr J Gosden so I need her to win otherwise she might end up having a new trainer! Joking aside, her work has been very good, she’ll get a mile and she has really strengthened up over the winter. She won’t be far away.

 

NEWMARKET

2:10 Novice

Cooperation (Sean Levey)

He ran with the choke out on his debut last week but that should have blown the cobwebs away and he would have learnt plenty from that experience. We’ve done absolutely nothing with him at home during the week so he’s fresh and well and I’d like to think he’s up to getting his head in front here.

 

3:50 Handicap

Flying Dragon (Sean Levey)

He’s a tough consistent horse whose form is there for all to see. We’re starting him off back over a mile but can easily move up again if necessary and all I can add is that his work has been very good, as it always is, and the hood should help him settle in this small field, but they should go that little bit quicker over this trip which will help and he has a big chance.

 

ROYAL ASCOT gets underway on Tuesday and while it won’t be the same without all the pageantry and pomp but the BHA and all the team at Ascot have done a fantastic job working together to get the meeting on and hopefully we can nick a few winners. Threat is on course for the St James’s Palace Stakes and Billesdon Brook is likely to take her chance in the Queen Anne while Cloak Of Spirits has come out of the Guineas in great form and is an intended runner in the Coronation. We have a load in the handicaps including Brian Epstein, Ouzo, Fox Champion, Qaysar and Ziggle Pops while the likes of Walkinthesand, Posted, Mystery Power, Well Done Fox and Watan should also be in action. Al Madhar could also run but it very much depends on how he comes out of his Newbury win. Keep posted to @unibetracing and @rhannonracing for all of the latest on our runners every day of the meeting.