Hannon in search of seventh heaven
Punters traditionally follow Hannon’s team in the Newbury heat and this year is no different as 5-2 favourite Penny’s Gift is rated the best of his six-strong team.
The daughter of Toubougg chased home Jim Bolger’s Cuis Ghaire at Royal Ascot last time and Hannon believes she must have every chance in the richly-endowed contest.
“I have three or four in there that could go well. Penny’s Gift is the obvious one and I don’t think coming back from six furlongs to five will worry her and she is drawn well,” said Hannon.
“Infamous Angel is quick and Rebecca De Winter is no mug. Pure Poetry is quick too but he might find it tough giving all of that weight away.
“I have six runners in all and they are all owned by different people. They are all winners and entitled to run, so please God that one of them will win.”
Kevin Ryan has targeted the unbeaten Senor Mirasol at the race for some time and while he is wary of the threat Hannon’s team pose, he is not afraid of taking on the Wiltshire handler. “His form is solid and he’s done nothing wrong and we’ve waited with him especially for this race,” said Ryan.
“He’s in great form and I couldn’t be happier with him really.
“He’s an improving horse but you always have to be afraid of Richard Hannon in this race, it has been very good to him. He seems to target it with quite a few horses.
“But at the end of the day, ours is going into the race unbeaten and the dream is still alive. He certainly deserves his place in the line-up.”
Mark Wallace expects Spring Tale to put up a bold show, but admits he is unsure whether stall five will prove a help or a hindrance. “She’s a nice little filly and she is in very good form,” said Wallace. “She had a little holiday after finishing second in a Listed race at Cork but she has come back good. It was against the colts last time so it was a good run.
“She just didn’t quite get the six furlongs last time so hopefully the drop back in trip will suit her.
“I just don’t know about the draw, we’ll have to wait and see tomorrow. I suppose it is either going to be good or bad.
“Penny’s Gift looks well treated but you have to take your chance in a race as valuable as this. You’ve got to go and she’ll have more behind her than in front.
“Niall McCullagh is coming over to ride as he can do light weights and he is a good friend of the owner so it worked out well.”
Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes; totesport bet: 5-2 Penny’s Gift, 6-1 Bahamian Babe, 8-1 Infamous Angel, 9-1 Caranbola, 12-1 Mullglen, Senor Mirasol, 14-1 Rebecca De Winter, 18-1 Pure Poetry, 20-1 Moss Likely 25-1 Doughnut, Jargelle, 28-1 bar.
Atlantic Sport’s lofty reputation took another knock after he failed to fire as expected behind Easy Target in the Jupiter Unit Trust Managers Conditions Stakes at Newbury yesterday.
Mick Channon’s one-time Classic hope was a warm order at odds of 4-6 to build on his promising seasonal bow over the course and distance two weeks ago. All seemed to be going to plan for much of the seven-furlong race with Richard Hughes even allowing himself a brief glance through his legs as the three-year-old travelled powerfully two furlongs out. But his mount did not find what was required at the business end of affairs and lost out to Bryan Smart’s 10-1 winner by ¾ of a length.
