Richard Hannon: “We know we have a very good colt on our hands”

EPSOM

4:30 G1 Epsom Derby

Voyage (Pat Dobbs)

Visually he was very impressive at Newbury where he never looked like being beaten. He tanked himself to the front and showed a good turn of foot to win easily in a race that has thrown up a couple of subsequent winners. This is obviously a completely different ball game, but he’s been to Epsom for a gallop and handled the track well which obviously puts him in good stead for a task like this, and he worked well earlier in the week. Whether he’s up to winning is a massive question mark but Julie (Wood, owner) is keen to give it a shot, and we are all in agreement. There is only one Derby and he’ll be giving it his best shot – if he’s not good enough, at least we tried, we can dust ourselves off and go again again another day. Whatever happens we know we have a very good colt on our hands.

 

1:25

Persica (Sean Levey)

He ran very well at Newbury last time when going the longest route and finishing strong behind a smart horse. The Handicapper has kept him on the same mark, and I’ll be extremely disappointed if he’s not very competitive. He’s definitely a colt to keep on the right side of.

 

3:10

The Coffee Pod (Pat Dobbs)

He was quite wayward at Newmarket and made things difficult for his jockey, so the cheek pieces are going on and we’re dropping back again in trip. I don’t think the ground will be an issue, and they’ll go that fast, I can’t see him being keen like last time!

 

5:50

Mum’s Tipple (Pat Dobbs)

His last two runs have been very good, and while six furlongs might not be his optimum trip nowadays, they are likely to go a decent gallop, which will give him something to run at, and the handicapper has dropped him a pound.

 

DONCASTER

5:40

Aramram (Sam Hitchcott)

He was also entered at Epsom in the Listed race but we decided to come here instead and, judged on his easy victory at Nottingham, the step up to seven furlongs can only bring out more improvement. He has done plenty of very good work and I expect him to be bang there.

 

6:15

Sam Hawkens (Sam Hitchcott)

He was very impressive stepped up in trip at Salisbury last time and is a colt we’ve always thought a lot of. I think he’ll improve again for the extra couple of furlongs and he’ll love the ground.

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