Hattan comes of age in Lingfield

Hattan served notice he can take high order in middle-distance Group races this summer when producing a smart change of gear to land the betdirect.com Winter Derby for Clive Brittain at Lingfield.

Seb Sanders’ mount soon assumed a good position from which to attack and the 14-1 chance proved two lengths too strong for fast-finishing 7-2 favourite Silver Pivotal, who had been backed at all rates with the sponsors.

The relatively sedate pace did not suit the runner-up who had a mountain to climb turning for home from her wide draw, but in fairness to Hattan this was a decent effort on his first outing since early November, justifying Brittain’s decision not to take him to Dubai.

The veteran trainer said: “He disappointed us a bit in this race last year and we decided to miss out Dubai and concentrate on the Winter Derby as a springboard to a Group-race campaign.

“He turned up a fresh horse. He worked extremely well with a horse I rate highly the other day and I knew I had him ready to rock and roll.”

The Newmarket-based handler does not have a specific target for Hattan and added: “He put on 20 kilos in the close season and what pleases me is that he’s shown the ability to handle the soft around Chester while having the toe to score over a mile and a quarter on a sharp course like Lingfield.

“He’s related to Warrsan and Luso, and is much more of a man this year.

“He should have a really interesting season ahead, although I haven’t spoken to his owner Saeed Manana and will make a plan after that.”

There was plenty to like about the way Paco Boy delivered the goods on his return to action for Richard Hannon in the betdirect.com Spring Cup.

A dual winner at the end of last season, the 3-1 favourite came from last to first in the straight to beat Tasdeer a length and three-quarters, with Geezers Colours only a short head away in third.

Richard Hughes excelled on the winner, who will now go to either the Craven meeting or the Guineas meeting at Newmarket.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon Junior said: “We’ve always thought a lot of him and we have a very nice Invincible Spirit half-brother at home called Tartan Turban.

“I think he’d have needed it and it was nice to see Richard getting him so settled. He seems to go on any surface and can only improve.”