Hannon duo on Newbury duty

Saturday 27 October 2012

Richard Hannon, so dominant in the two-year-old division this season, has two strong contenders in the Worthington's Whizz-Kidz Stakes at Newbury this afternoon.

Better known as the Horris Hill Stakes, two of the last three renewals of the Group Three contest have fallen to Hannon, with Carnaby Street (2009) and Tell Dad 12 months ago.

This year the trainer runs July Stakes winner Alhebayeb and Glean, who finished third to his stablemate Havana Gold in a Group Three last time out.

"I had this race in mind for Glean even before he ran third to Havana Gold in the Somerville Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket, where he saw a bit too much daylight on the wide outside," the Wiltshire handler told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.

"Alhebayeb won the July Stakes at Newmarket, but the way he stayed on at the end of the Prix Morny at Deauville suggested he wanted this step up to seven furlongs, so we have two strong contenders."

Saeed bin Suroor saddles Tawhid, who has plenty to find on the official ratings but was an impressive winner of an extended one-mile Nottingham maiden last time out.

Bin Suroor told the Godolphim website: "Tawhid won his maiden nicely at Nottingham and came out of the race in good form. He will enjoy a cut in the ground again and the return to seven furlongs should be no problem. He is an improving colt and deserves a chance in a Group race like this."

Marco Botti's Hasopop has won two of his six starts and finished a close fourth in the Sirenia Stakes last time out.

The trainer said: "He's a tough horse and has not done much wrong. He ran a good race at Kempton last time out and the step back up in trip should suit him as he was staying on at the end. I think seven furlongs is his trip now rather than six.

"The softish ground should be no issue as he won on heavy at Newmarket. He's in good form and this was always the plan after Kempton."