Richard Hannon has indicated his top four-year-olds Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin will clash for the fourth time in Saturday’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Hannon was thrilled to claim the mile race for the first time since it was elevated to Group One level when his old favourite Paco Boy struck last year and it has long been known as the planned seasonal starting point for Canford Cliffs, star of the Irish 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace and Sussex Stakes.
But Dick Turpin’s owner John Manley is keen for his colt to take part too, as he finished ahead of Canford Cliffs in the Greenham Stakes and 2000 Guineas and looked as good as ever when cruising home in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown last month.
“I walked the Newbury straight on Sunday morning and, following 31 millimetres of rain, the ground is absolutely beautiful, so in all probability both Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin will run,” the trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv after hosting a press visit at his Wiltshire stables.
“Obviously, I would rather keep them apart and if I had my way we would save Dick Turpin for the Prix d’Ispahan in France on Sunday week, but John Manley, the colt’s owner, justifiably makes the point that Dick has met Canford Cliffs three times and come out on top twice, and I know that he is keen to run at Newbury.
“We are very lucky to have two of the best milers in Europe and, though Dick Turpin has the benefit of a run, Canford Cliffs is straight enough, having enjoyed a couple of recent racecourse gallops.
“He has done exceptionally well from three to four, but he has also done plenty of work and, while he will obviously improve for his first run, he is fit enough and ready to roll.
“Looking further ahead, we are also looking forward to taking on Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot with Canford Cliffs. Goldikova is a brilliant racemare, but perhaps now is the time when she is starting to look for a husband.”
Twice Over was third in the 2009 Lockinge and will step down to a mile for the first time since that effort.
Henry Cecil had subsequently managed to land three Group Ones with the six-year-old but must revive him from a poor run in the Dubai World Cup.
Aidan O’Brien’s only representative is Jan Vermeer, with Godolphin fielding Shakespearean.
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