Nations Alexander
A successful last week was had by all at Richard Hannon Racing. There were 13 winners in just seven days and with two successes coming from Group company. The horses seem to be hitting top form heading into York week, so let's hope the luck continues.
NATIONS ALEXANDER, the daughter of Dark Angel, took the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes under a fine ride from Pat Dobbs. She travelled sweetly on the front end and was able to keep going up to the line. 'She appears to be improving still and this step up to seven furlongs really suited. The Moyglare is obviously a big possibility for her and I would hope she would be very competitive there.'
The second Group 3 success on the same weekend was VENTURA STORM who continued his run of good form to take the Prix de Reux under Gregory Benoist. 'He has really got the hang of things again and is in great order. This was a nice step up to a mile and a half and now there are plenty of options for him. He is a tough horse who takes his racing well. I will give him a few weeks before deciding where to head.'
Some really promising two year olds also got their heads in front. CONTRAST, a son of Dutch Art , took the maiden at Haydock in fine style jumping off as the clear outsider. 'He was given a lovely ride by Tom Marquand and seemed to let down nicely late on. He has been a horse we think plenty of but he has taken time to come to hand.' DOURADO won nicely at Lingfield on this step up to seven and a half furlongs. 'We put him in a tough race last time and he ran creditably. Back in grade and up in trip he really showed his authority. He should now be able to win a nice nursery.' HIMSELF owned by Bunny Roberts took the maiden at Windsor. 'He didn't really settle last time over seven, so I dropped him back to six where he asserted his authority late on. He should now be able to make the jump to nurseries and conditions races.' BLUE SUEDE having showed so much promise was able to break her duck in impressive style at Bath. 'She is a filly who has plenty of speed and will now head to nurseries.' SOLDIER'S GIRL went one better taking the maiden at Kempton in impressive style. 'She is a smart filly and I can see her bagging some black type this year.' NORTHERN THUNDER was another who has now doubled his winning total to 2, with success in a nursery at Kempton. DEVIL'S BRIDGE has been knocking on the door all year and finally got the job done up at the mile. GHAYYAR got his head in front at Newmarket in nice style under Frankie Dettori, helping break his 3000th winner marker. 'He's a lovely horse who I have always had a high opinion of, so it was nice to see him get in the winners enclosure.'
DANEHILL KODIAC was another notable winner taking the mile and a half handicap at the Shergar Cup under Gavin Lerena. 'He won some nice races at 2yrs and has confirmed that promise coming here to win this race. He has some valuable handicaps in him, so I will wait a few weeks before running him again.'