Last weekend was a quiet one in regards to Richard Hannon but no less fruitful than others. The Listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket was set to have two fillies from the yard heading to post. The well fancied SOMEBODY TO LOVE and the less backed NATIONS ALEXANDER. Two nice fillies both looked promising after their respective debuts. However it was the 8/1 daughter of Dark Angel that scored decisively by one and a quarter lengths. NATIONS ALEXANDER had finished second on both her previous starts, on the later occasion, it was the daughter of Frankel, Fair Eva, that asserted her authority. 'I went to Newmarket hoping that one filly would get the job done, however it wasn't the result we were expecting. I am delighted for Noel that she could improve on her third run to take the spoils. She could now head to Newmarket at the July meeting in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes which I won last year with Illuminate. My other filly never got hold of the ground on the day. She is much better than that as she showed in her solid debut performance. I will wait for better ground and look for some nice races for her. The Princess Margaret at Ascot could be an option.'
On Monday at Wolverhampton, EUGINIO a son of Fastnet Rock was successful on debut in the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs. 'I have always thought plenty of him and was happy he could win on debut in what looked a competitive affair on paper. He will improve plenty for that experience and I can see him running in some nice races towards the end of the year