Blackout Wins Under Pat Dobbs
Some good racing from Haydock on Wednesday and Newbury on Thursday saw Richard Hannon come home with four winners in total. All three year olds on the up and they won at a variety of distances from six furlongs to a mile and three quarters.
SNAN a son of High Chaparral won the staying handicap at Haydock for three year olds in good fashion. He has had four runs this year and won two of them. ‘He is a progressive sort who looks like he will be suited by going even further. Two miles will suit and so I will put an entry for him in the Queens Vase and make a decision later on in the week. He is a horse who takes a lot of riding and he will need the blinkers on next time.’ On the same Day GEORGE WILLIAM owned by Lady Coventry added his second win to his tally in a competitive handicap over seven furlongs. ‘He has improved tremendously for being gelded and looks a horse who will be suited by the mile. I think he has more progression in him and so I will have a look at the book for another handicap.’ NATIONS ALEXANDER a daughter of Dark Angel having her second ever start ran into a good one in Frankels daughter. She looks very close to getting her head in front and is one to keep an eye on this year.
Wednesday evening at Kempton, PAPA LUIGI was backing up after his four length victory at Windsor to win again under a six pound penalty. ‘He has improved this year having had his wind done and I feel he will keep progressing. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper does as to where we go next.’ WINTER ROSE was unlucky to get beat in the fillies handicap. She is running well and should be close to winning one.
Thursday at Newbury saw BLACKOUT get himself back in the winners enclosure after a disappointing couple of efforts. ‘I was happy that he could get the job done. He appreciated the better ground and seemed to travel well throughout before showing a good turn of foot up to the line.’ Of the two year olds, DOURADO ran a nice race missing the break by five lengths, PILLAR OF SOCIETY was right there until getting tired late. At Haydock, DEVIL’S BRIDGE the son of first season sire Casamento ran a very good third, getting the hang of things late on being beaten by another son of Frankel. TAFAAKHOR was another two year old who ran into a good one of Godolphins. All four of those two year olds will progress on their next start and should be watched closely.
A quiet weekend of racing ensues before the storm of Royal Ascot. Just a handful of runners tomorrow and a fair few today, there look to be some nice chances. ‘Of today’s runners NISSER should be our best chance. He was unlucky last time at Haydock and appears to have improved for that outing.’