Libranno seeks Lennox glory
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Richard Hannon is looking to win his third Betfair Lennox Stakes in five years at Glorious Goodwood on Tuesday with his stable stalwart Libranno.
Fourth behind Strong Suit 12 months ago, Libranno has bounced right back to his best by winning his last two races at Salisbury and Newmarket.
Hannon could have run last year's winner but he will now head to Deauville for the Prix Maurice de Gheest instead.
"We might have higher rated horses in the yard than Libranno, but I doubt if we have any tougher," Hannon told his website.
"He was only beaten two lengths by Strong Suit in this race last year and he went back there in the autumn and won the Supreme Stakes.
"He seems better than ever this season and you could not fail to have been impressed with the way he won both the Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury and the Criterion at Newmarket.
"He goes on any ground and I know he won't let us down."
Hannon has been the leading trainer at the meeting for the past two seasons, with 14 winners including nine last year.
Hannon is also the leading trainer at the Sussex track since 1981 with 229 winners.
Three-year-olds have a fantastic record in the race having won five of the last eight renewals but the only representative from the Classic generation tomorrow is Bryan Smart's northern raider Foxtrot Romeo.
He finished second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas as an unconsidered 33-1 shot on his seasonal bow and showed that was no fluke by being beaten only four lengths in the St James's Palace Stakes.
"I've been absolutely over the moon with him this season," said Smart.
"He's been in fantastic form since Ascot and I'm really looking forward to the race. I've been very pleased with him and I'm sure he'll run well."
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