Illuminate Winning The Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes
Whilst the cold snap continues, the Guineas weekend has arrived at HQ. Newmarket will be shown in all its glory, with some first class racing to watch.
The Richard Hannon team head to four tracks over the weekend and 20 runners, with support cards coming from Goodwood, Salisbury and Doncaster. 'Things are starting to get going at home. We have had 4 individual two year old winners and a Sandown Mile victory from the courageous Toormore. So I am happy heading into this weekend and Richard is very much looking forward to his runners.
Saturday brings about our all weather star in Aguerooo who won five of his last nine starts. 'He's been a very consistent horse, but now we are back on turf it's a different proposition all together. Saying that, he has had a little break and looks and feels great. He should be right there at the finish. Taqwaa, a son of Iffraaj, was a winner by nine lengths on his final start last year. 'He is our best chance tomorrow of winning a race. He has improved over the winter and I think he will be a progressive horse this year.
Black Cherry takes her chance in the Conqueror Stakes at Goodwood. 'She is working great at home. I am going there confident she will run a big race tomorrow. Her attitude has been great and she couldn't look any better.' Desert Force ran a good race at Newmarket the other day but has been given stall 16, and from the seven furlong start, this will make things very hard for him. 'He has come on so much from his first run. He is a big bull of a horse, who will appreciate this trip, however he will need to be at his best to win from that stall.'
Doncaster sees Papa Luigi and Atlantic Sun, the Middleham Park pair having their seasonal reappearances. 'They are two horses who will come on for their runs but I think they have nice chances. Atlantic Sun may find the seven furlongs a bit sharp, but he has been working very well at home.' Northern Thunder, another son of Dragon Pulse takes his place in the two year old race. 'This stallion has thrown up one winner for us so far and this horse looks like another nice one. He has been working well, so I expect him to run a nice race on his first ever start.'
Sunday sees Illuminate in the 1000 Guineas. 'As long as it drys out, I think she is in there with a great chance. It looks a competitive renewal but she has been working super at home and this is her first time running on the straight mile at HQ. She worked with Toormore the other day and he worked incredibly well and then went on to win the Sandown Mile, franking her gallop. 'I am hopeful she will give Minding something to think about'.
Stormy Clouds the daughter of Sir Prancealot is back in action after her Lingfield victory. 'She has improved from every run. Although this is a small field, I expect her to be very close. She is only small but has a serious engine and in the same race Illuminate won last year I could see her winning.'
With a great weekend of racing ahead, Richard has some good chances and hopefully can come home with a few winners.