Richard Hannon | Royal Ascot Tuesday: “The ground will be perfect and I’m really looking forward to it”
Richard Hannon | Royal Ascot Tuesday: “The ground will be perfect and I’m really looking forward to it”
2:30 G1 Queen Anne Stakes
Rosallion (Sean Levey)
He was as fit as I could get him before the Lockinge, without having actually had a run, and he had a very good blow afterwards, so there is no doubt he’s come on a lot physically. It was the same last season when he got beaten in the Guineas; he needs his first run back. Everything has gone well since Newbury, and Timmy Murphy, who rides him every day, is very happy with him. He says he’s really sharpened up.
This is a very competitive Queen Anne, but Rosallion is a high-class colt and unbeaten at the track. The ground will be perfect and I’m really looking forward to it.
3:05 G2 Coventry Stakes
Ballistic Missile (Shane Foley)
I was delighted with his debut at York, where it took a while for the penny to drop, but when it did, he picked up really nicely and won with plenty in hand. The step up in trip and stiff finish is a definite plus and while I’ ve had shorter priced runners in the Coventry before (all of which finished second – can you name them?) this lad is right up there and deserves his place in the field.
Raakeb (Sean Levey)
He stayed on very well to finish a close-up third in the Woodcote at Epsom last time on ground that was plenty soft enough, so he’ll appreciate this quicker surface, and while he probably has to improve a bit to trouble the principals, he’s a decent colt with a great attitude. He will be doing his best work late on. Haatem was third in the Woodcote before finishing a solid fifth in the Coventry on his next start, so let’s hope this lad can do as well as he did.
5:35 Listed Wolferton Stakes
Haatem (James Doyle)
His two runs this season haven’t been up to his usual standard, and James said it’s no point running in the Queen Anne (in his current form) just to make up the numbers. He suggested going on a trip, so we’re doing that. The Wolferton is always a hard race to win, but he’s top rated with a couple of others and has his optimum ground conditions, so there’s lots to like about him. He looks a million dollars in his coat, too.
Royal Ascot Stable Tour 2025
We caught up with the master of Herridge to give you the lowdown on all of Richards’s main chances and some sneaky outsiders that may be flying under the radar. From 2024 St James’ Palace Stakes winner Rosallion, Witch Hunter, and last year’s Jersey Stakes winner Haatem, to some lesser-known lights that could be set to take Ascot by storm, Richard knows how to train a winner!
Check out the video here!
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