Richard Hannon: “Urban Icon has a lot of ability and I hope he’ll go very close in the Jersey”

ROYAL ASCOT – SATURDAY

 

2:30 Chesham Stakes

Sun Power (Silvestre De Sousa)

He’s a smart colt by our Guineas winner Night Of Thunder who is improving all the time. I liked his attitude at Wolverhampton last time and I think there is plenty to come from him. That win was over 6f but the step up to 7f will suit and I think he has solid claims, but this is a very open race.

 

3:05 Jersey Stakes

Masaru (Pat Dobbs)

We took him out of the Britannia because a mile on soft ground is probably not what he wants just yet to we’re going over 7f here which should suit better. Dads owns a bit of him so it would be great if we could take some of the prize money back to Herridge! He was impressive at Sandown in the Esher Cup but was a little bit disappointing at Haydock afterwards and nothing really came to light so I’m going to draw a line through it and move on. This horse has a lot of ability and we’ve freshened him up at home so he arrives here in good shape. Tom rode him in a piece of work last week and was absolutely beaming afterwards!

Urban Icon (Tom Marquand)

I love this colt and he’s run three good races this season so deserves to get his head back in front. He did nothing wrong at Epsom last time and his work has been good. Jersey Stakes are hard to win but we’ve been quite lucky in it and this horse has plenty of ability so I’d be very hopeful that he’ll go extremely close.

 

4:20 G1 Diamond Jubilee

Yafta (Jim Crowley)

He’s so consistent and has run two good races this season. I’m not convinced he will be at his best on soft ground but the fast pace, over 6f, will be in his favour and he’ll certainly be finishing his race well. This is a big step up but he’s in good form and deserves to take his chance.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) Yafta #Ascot

Here’s @rhannonracing on his #RoyalAscot Saturday runner YAFTA pic.twitter.com/TDdmiBw4JW

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) June 20, 2019

 

NEWMARKET

 

1:40 Novice Stakes

Game Over (Sean Levey)

He’s a very smart colt by Toronado who has done everything I’ve asked at home and his work has been very good. A lot of ours come on for the run but this horse is ready to go should run a big race.

 

2:45 Fillies’ Handicap

Aubretia (Martin Dwyer)

She’s no world beater but is more than capable of winning a race and this looks an ideal starting point for the season. I’ve been happy with her work and hopefully she would have a chance.

 

4:40 Handicap

Wedding Date (Thore Hammer Hansen)

We’ve kept her pretty busy but she handles her racing really well and goes on any ground. The Handicapper has dropped her a couple of pounds but she’s paying the price for winning at York in May, but the return to five furlongs will certainly help.

 

5:50 Handicap

Dirty Rascal (Sean Levey)

He was in good form last season winning at Windsor and Newbury and is now back down to a winning mark of 85. I was happy with his run at Kempton last time and think he has a massive chance in this.

 

REDCAR

 

3:15 Handicap

Enchanted Linda (Hollie Doyle)

She was due to run at Leicester last weekend but that was abandoned so we’re heading up to Redcar instead and I hope the long journey pays off. I really like her attitude and you’d struggle to find a more consistent filly. I’d like to I think she will be extremely competitive here.

 

HAYDOCK

 

7:30 Maiden

Mensen Ernst (Rossa Ryan)

He ran a good race when third at Newbury on very heavy ground and that run will definitely have sharpened him up mentally and physically. The step up to seven furlongs is a major plus and he should be up to winning this.

Mystery Power (Sean Davis)

He’s a smart colt by No Nay Never who is doing everything right at home. This will be a valuable learning curve but his work has been very good and he will run a decent race.

 

9:00 Handicap

Corncrake (Rossa Ryan)

We’re going into Handicap Company for the first time off a mark of 68 which I think is fair enough and he ran well at Salisbury last time. He’s getting better with every win and is coming to hand at the right time. I don’t think he’ll be far away.