Richard Hannon: “The step back to a mile and a quarter will suit and any cut in the ground will be in her favour”

NEWBURY 

 3:00 G3 Hackwood Stakes 

Ehraz (Jim Crowley) 

He didn’t handle the heavy ground at Doncaster in April so I’m happy to forgive him that run, especially as he had a good blow after the race, and we’re putting the blinkers on to sharpen him up. He’s a very talented horse when things go his way and was a good second over course and distance last year.  

Shouldvebeenaring (Sean Levey) 

He owes us all absolutely nothing and the drop back to six furlongs on better ground is a big plus. This should be a bit easier than his last two races, which were in Group Ones, and hopefully he can reward each way support. 

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

3:35 Weatherbys Super Sprint 

La Guarida (Kevin Stott) 

She ran better in the Chesham than the bare result suggests because she ducked left coming out of the stalls and never really got into the race; but she’s better than that and has plenty of speed so the step down to five won’t be a problem. I wouldn’t rule her out, although the favourite will be very hard to beat. 

Ziggy’s Phoenix (Jim Crowley) 

She’s a tough, consistent filly who won the Lily Agnes in May and has posted some decent efforts since then. This is a competitive race, but she has plenty of experience and is battle hardened which counts for plenty in races like this. 

The Camden Colt (William Buick) 

He didn’t get the best of runs at Pontefract last time but is a colt with lots of ability and this sort of contest should help him travel. Five furlongs won’t be a problem, and he looks great in his coat, but giving weight all round won’t be easy. 

Dapperling (Sean Levey) 

She got the job done nicely at Lingfield and is learning all the time. She’s extremely consistent and tries hard so will hopefully run a big race from stall five. 

Liv My Life (Pat Dobbs) 

I like this filly and think she could run a big race at decent odds with Unibet. The win at Chester will have done her confidence a lot of good and she’s not out of it. 

Mr Baloo (Sam Hitchcott) 

He’s been running well in defeat, and knocking at the door, but whether he’s quite up to winning a Super Sprint, I’m not so sure. He’s got lots of speed so won’t mind the return to five and, you never know, he could outrun his odds if things go his way. 

Jolly Sailor (Tom Greatrex) 

He’s been gelded since his last run, which will help him concentrate on the job in hand, but he needs to step up considerably on what he’s shown so far and I couldn’t back him with any confidence.  

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

4:10 

Mr Wonderful (Kevin Stott) 

He met lots of trouble at Doncaster on debut, but will have learnt plenty from it, and he’ll strip fitter here, too. He obviously needs to step up a lot, but he’s got some nice entries so would need to go close here if they are to be fulfilled. 

4:45 

Maman Joon (Kevin Stott) 

I may have run her a little bit too quick at Ascot after her excellent run in the Oaks, where she had a hard race, so we’ve freshened her up nicely at home and the extra ten days will hopefully help. The step back to a mile and a quarter will suit and any cut in the ground will be in her favour. 

ELSEWHERE 

 We have a handful of runners elsewhere including Sir Rumi in the 4:30 at Ripon. He’s been in good form at home and there’s been plenty of rain up there so he should go well on the ground.  

Rich is going right back down in trip to seven furlongs in the 5:25 at Newmarket and if she can return to anything like her best she’d have a decent each way chance under Hollie Doyle.  

We’re claiming 5lbs off Graham in the 8:45 at Doncaster and Royal Dress steps up a furlong in Haydock’s 8:00. 

Unibet have a number of SPECIALS covering these races.