McMahon: Impassive has tall order in Super Sprint
McMahon saw his classy juvenile Temple Meads pick up the best part of £100,000 when successful 12 months ago, and this year’s representative arrives off the back of an all-the-way win in a Nottingham maiden.
“She’s a nice enough filly, but I think we’re facing a harder test than we had last year,” said McMahon.
“She doesn’t have much weight and I’m hoping there is going to be a drop of rain coming, as she’d appreciate a little bit of cut in the ground.
“She has a bit of stamina and I think six furlongs will probably suit her better than five, but I always think you need to stay six furlongs to win this.
“You need that bit of stamina to sustain that finishing run and I think any short runners will be found out.
“I don’t think this filly is quite as good as Temple Meads, who is a Group horse really, so it was a penalty kick for him.
“There is prize-money down to 10th so if she can pick of some of that it would be great.”
Lily’s Angel is a major contender for Richard Fahey and champion jockey Paul Hanagan.
The Dark Angel filly has won four of her six career starts and impressed in a Newmarket Listed race on her latest appearance.
Connections had considered returning her to Group company for the Princess Margaret Stakes in a week’s time, but have instead elected to shoot for the bigger prize.
Tim Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park Racing, said: “Money talks in the end.
“She’s coming back from six to five furlongs but I’m not really worried about that.
“It’s a 25-runner cavalry charge and I think you’re going to need to stay that bit better.
“The going will be fine for her and she’s got a decent draw as well.
“She’s in good form and has worked well this week. Richard said he couldn’t have her any better and Paul rode her at home and said she feels as good as ever.
“He’s getting down to 8st 3lb, which is just about his minimum and while it looks a competitive race, I wouldn’t swap her for anything else.
“On what they’ve all achieved, I think our filly has achieved the most and we’re getting a stone from some of them.
“We certainly deserve to be there and we’ll see what happens.”
Master juvenile trainer Richard Hannon has saddled no less than seven winners of the race and is this time responsible for four challengers.
Assessing their respective chances, the trainer told his website www.richardhannonracing.tv: “Hughesie (Richard Hughes) has opted for Eureka, and he is probably right.
“Both his wins have been over six furlongs, but he has plenty of speed and would have won over five at Salisbury, so we are not worried about dropping back in trip.
“While he is drawn low, If Paradise won from stall one, and Super Sprint winners have come from both sides and up the middle, so that is not a problem.
“Like Eureka, Redact is two from two, and I was pleased to get that second run into him at Salisbury last week as it gives him that extra bit of experience which is essential in a race like this.
“He is a decent colt and drawn where he is (15), Ryan (Moore) will be able to choose his route. Right Result is still a maiden, but he has just been unlucky to bump into one or two each time and, while the form of Airborne Again’s Salisbury maiden win has not worked out well, he could not have won easier.”
