Cliffs peaking for classic campaign
Richard Hannon’s three-year-old turned in one of the most impressive performances of last season when barely coming off the bridle in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He could only finish third behind Arcano and subsequent Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Special Duty at Deauville next time but assistant trainer Richard Hannon jnr is confident ahead of his Classic campaign.
“At this moment in time I’d definitely be a massive supporter of his chances in the Guineas,” Hannon jnr told At The Races.
“He’s very relaxed, will definitely get the trip and what he did in the Coventry was not normal.
“He got beaten in France and we were a bit disappointed on the day, but that filly (Special Duty) turned out to be extremely good and maybe she was a bit quick for us.
“Hughesie (Richard Hughes) said he never felt during that race that he was the same horse he was on Coventry day.
“He’s had a good winter, is stronger and he is the star that we think he is, but you need a bit more than that to win a Guineas.
“We’d be very hopeful.”
Meanwhile Jeremy Noseda’s Strike The Deal has been ruled out for the season after suffering an injury in Dubai.
The five-year-old was victorious in Listed and Group Three company during 2009 and his latest racecourse appearance came in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
He was being prepared for his season in Dubai but will now be out for the entirety of 2010.
“It is a bitter blow for us as he is a talented and consistent performer who has been a fabulous servant to the yard,” the trainer told his website, www.jeremynoseda.com.
“We are very saddened by his injury and disappointed for his owner Martyn Barber that the horse will not be competing this coming turf season.”
