Hannon to continue firing in the winners
RICHARD Hannon had an unbelievable Glorious Goodwood last year and although Canford Cliffs was disappointingly beaten by Frankel on Wednesday, the yard is once again in red-hot form on the Sussex Downs.
Chandlery was a decent winner of the Group 2 Vintage Stakes earlier this week, but he isn’t held in as high regard as HARBOUR WATCH who is likely to go off favourite in this afternoon’s Tanqueray Richmond Stakes (3.45pm). He was very impressive at Newmarket’s July meeting, notching his second career win from two starts, and really should take all the beating under Richard Hughes. If you’re down at the course, make sure to stop off at the race sponsor’s all-new Tanqueray Bar – I was there on Wednesday and it’s the perfect spot to watch the action.
Hannon could be back in the winner’s enclosure 35 minutes later, as GLEE looks very well-handicapped in the Rothschild Nursery (4.20pm). Off just 8st5lb, Hughes is unable to do the weight, but William Buick is a more than capable deputy. Julie Wood’s two-year-old was beaten by the decent Angels Will Fall on debut at Windsor, but bounced back to win her maiden at this track and she should appreciate the step up to seven furlongs.
The big betting race of the day is the Totesport Mile (3.15pm) and the bookies will be running for cover if handicap snip Green Destiny comes home in front. William Haggas can do little wrong at present and this progressive four-year-old bolted up in the John Smith’s Cup at York last time.
He has a perfect draw in stall two, but the drop back to a mile isn’t certain to suit and I’m happy to take him on at a best-priced 3/1 with William Hill.
Ed Walker has made a decent start to his training career and he notched his first Glorious Goodwood success with Red Gulch on Tuesday. At the start of the week I’m pretty certain he would have nominated RIGGINS as his best chance of a winner and he is worth backing each-way at around the 12/1 mark. The former Luca Cumani inmate is well drawn in stall seven, has won over the course and distance and will appreciate the drying ground.
Strong Suit was an easy winner of the Lennox Stakes on Tuesday and that has to be a major boost to the chances of WESTERN ARISTOCRAT in the Listed RSA Thoroughbred Stakes (2.35pm). Jeremy Noseda’s runner was beaten under a length by Strong Suit in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on only his third career start and he can see off Godolphin’s Neebras.
Finally, it’s back to the Hannon yard for the last selection as MISTER MUSIC is going to be very hard to beat in the 6.55pm at Newmarket this evening. He scooted clear at Sandown last time and is expected to land the double with Kieren Fallon in the plate.
Make sure you follow me on Twitter @BillEsdaile for all my views on Saturday’s card.