Strong Phoenix hand for Hannon
Hannon has trained over 70 juvenile winners during 2010 and the likes of Libranno, King Torus and Zebedee further straightened his remarkable hand in that division with Group-race victories at Goodwood last week.
Strong Suit overcame plenty of trouble in running to win the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and the trainer’s son and assistant Richard Hannon junior is confident that he can maintain his unbeaten record in this weekend’s Group One juvenile feature.
“Strong Suit is in great form, he’s probably the best two-year-old seen out so far this season so he’ll go very well,” said Hannon junior.
Aidan O’Brien has a quite astonishing record in the race having saddled 10 of the last 12 winners, with the likes of George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor and Mastercraftsman striking for Ballydoyle.
Predictably the trainer has another strong hand with seven entries this year, including recent Tyros Stakes winner Zoffany, Samuel Morse and Lake Ontario.
Meanwhile Ed McMahon has Astrophysical Jet firing on all cylinders as he considers a trip to Ireland later this month.
The three-year-old stayed on pleasingly to finish third behind more experienced sprinters in last week’s Audi King George Stakes at Goodwood and McMahon believes there is still more to come.
“I think we will probably go to Ireland for the Group Three Flying Five (August 29), which is the obvious choice.
“I know she won over six furlongs as a maiden and has run some creditable races over the distance as well, but I think her forte is five furlongs and a stiff one at that.
“It’s just that last half a furlong that she tends to struggle on.”
