Richard Hannon: “Without doubt he’s my best chance of the day”

ASCOT

2:00

Petrila (Liam Browne)

He needs to show a lot more than he has in his to starts so far so I’m hoping the step up in trip and his jockey’s 7lbs claim will aid his cause, but I couldn’t recommend him on what he’s shown to date and he will hopefully be better in Handicaps.         

 

2:35

Mashaaer (Dane O’Neill)

She’s a lovely filly with a beautiful pedigree who has done everything we’ve asked of her at home. I think she’ll improve for the run but we like her a lot and this looks a good opportunity to begin her career and she has a very good chance.

 

3:45

Mr Tyrrell (Kieran O’Neill)

He’s a model of consistency who ran very well at Newbury last time and has been in great form at home. The handicapper probably has him where he wants him but the track and trip will suit and I can’t see any reason why he won’t put up a decent show.

 

4:55

Lexington Dash (Liam Browne)

He’s a horse with plenty of ability and will appreciate the return to 6 furlongs.

We are utilising Liam’s 7lbs claim which effectively brings him down to a mark of 90 and the ground will be right up his street, therefore he has a big chance in a race like this, albeit slightly up in grade.

 

HAYDOCK

1:15

Dukebox (Sean Levey)

I’ve been looking forward to stepping him up in trip, because he’s always been a horse who we thought would be better over this sort of distance, and I’d ignore his run over in Ireland last time when he got a bump at the start which knocked his confidence and he never got into the race.

He’s now back in much calmer waters and I certainly don’t think he should be the outsider.

 

3:30 G1 Sprint Cup

Happy Romance (Sean Levey)

She’s a massively tough filly who has retained all of her ability from her two-year-old days and thoroughly deserved to win at Newbury last time off the back of a great effort at Sandown beforehand. This is obviously a step back up in grade but she receives a small allowance and the ground will suit so she goes there with every chance.

 

KEMPTON

1:30

Groom (Pat Dobbs)

He didn’t handle the ground at Salisbury last time but I think he’ll love the surface here and the step up a furlong will be a big help too. He’s got plenty of ability and I wouldn’t be writing him off.

Raging (Sam Hitchcott)

I thought he’d run better than he did at Sandown last time but he’s a little bit inconsistent so we’re putting the blinkers on in the hope that it makes him concentrate on what he’s doing.

A reproduction of his good effort in the Super Sprint would certainly give him a chance in a race like this, but he’s not one to trust.

 

3:15

Tahitian Prince (Rossa Ryan)

He hasn’t put a foot wrong all season and was unlucky not to win last time when giving plenty of weight to the winner and was only beaten a short head. He’s gradually creeping up the weights, so I has to pull a little bit more out of the locker again, but he’s in good form at home and this looks a nice prize to go for.

 

4:25

Escobedo (Pat Dobbs)

I’m surprised he’s still a maiden because he’s got a lot of ability but things haven’t gone his way so I’m hoping the step back up to a mile and a quarter will help and he hasn’t really got any excuses.

 

THIRSK

2:15

Sharvara (Thore Hammer Hansen)

He wasn’t disgraced in the Convivial Maiden at York last time and I expect him to improve plenty for that. This is a much more realistic target and the owners were keen to give it a go and I’m not going to disagree because I think he has rock solid credentials in a very ‘winnable’ race.

 

2:50

Oh Herberts Reign (Thore Hammer Hansen)

His form is absolutely rock solid and there was no disgrace in finishing behind Ever Given at York last time. This is a much easier opportunity and there’s no doubt he’s our best chance of the day.

 

4:00

Siam Fox (Thore Hammer Hansen)

He was a bit disappointing at Nottingham last time but the ground was a little bit patchy so we’re going to draw a line through it and hope he can recapture some of his best form because he’s got a lot of ability, and hopefully the drop back down to a mile will suit.

 

WOLVERHAMPTON

8:30

Lexington Fury (Franny Norton)

This is a very competitive handicap, with not much between the whole field, but he seems to have improved a little bit since being gelded and looks quite well drawn in stall one. His win at Ffos Las will have done his confidence plenty of good and I can’t see any reason why he won’t put up a decent show.