Richard Hannon | Newmarket Thursday: “We deliberately decided to skip Ascot and come here instead”

NEWMARKET

1:50 G3 Bahrain Trophy

Nightime Dancer (Sean Levey)

He finished his race very well in the Derby, doing all his best work at the end, so I’m confident the step up in trip will help, and the uphill finish should suit, too. We deliberately decided to skip Ascot and come here instead because it’s a race that often cuts up and he had a hard enough race at Epsom. He’s been given plenty of time to recover, and the St. Leger is where we’d like to end up. We’ll obviously have a much clearer idea whether he’s up to that sort of race after this.

Unibet are BOOSTING the price of the favourite in this race!

 

4:10 Maiden Fillies’ Stakes

Princess Billyboy (Sean Levey)

We were considering starting her off over seven (furlongs), but she’s got lots of speed in her pedigree and shows plenty of dash at home. It’s a typical Newmarket Maiden where you could finish fifth and still run very well, but we like her, and while she will certainly improve for the run, she’s ready to go.

 

4:45 Listed Henry Cecil Stakes

King Of Cities (Sean Levey)

I was very pleased with his effort in the Prix Du Jockey Club, where he wasn’t beaten all that far after coming from off the pace. He’s not short of speed, so the drop back to a mile shouldn’t be a problem, and this is a step down in grade, albeit in a very competitive Listed race.

His work is always to a good standard, and he looks very well physically.

 

5:20 Handicap

Boyfriend (Sean Levey)

I’d have been disappointed if he’d got beaten at Nottingham, but he got the job done, and I think he learned plenty in the process. He’s a couple of pounds higher and in a better race, but we’ve always thought of him as quite capable, so hopefully he’ll continue on an upward curve.

Son (Jim Crowley)

He is a high-class horse, but recent form is slightly off-putting, and the gelding operation doesn’t appear to have helped as yet. The handicapper has dropped him a few pounds, and he won on Good to Firm earlier in his career.

 

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