Conjuror’s Bluff can produce the magic at Windsor
Richard Hannon probably didn’t sleep as well as usual last night – that reoccurring nightmare that is Goldikova was probably the architect of his sleepless night.
Freddie Head’s star mare once again denied Paco Boy major Group One glory, this time in the Prix de la Foret but Hannon will be hoping to get back in the winners enclosure this afternoon as he saddles an intriguing runner at Windsor.
Just the fact a horse holds a Derby entry doesn’t make it a world-beater, but in a pretty ordinary maiden, Conjuror´s Bluff for the powerful Hannon 2yo stable merits a huge amount of respect in the European Breeders´ Fund Maiden Stakes (Div II). This will be the first appearance at a racecourse for the colt, but under the steering of Richard Hughes, who is desperate to register some winners to close the gap on Paul Hanagan in the jockey’s championship, he could make the most of a relatively weak race. Escholido brings the premium form to the race, but has become expensive to follow (beaten favourite twice) and maybe regressing rather than improving. All signs suggest that Hannon’s colt could call Escholido’s bluff.
Avonmore Star, another of the Hannon string, is officially rated (94) as the best horse on the card today at Windsor but he may find one too good in Squires Gate in the Time 106.6 Fm Radio Nursery. The selection showed incredible speed on his latest outing over six furlongs, where he pulled five lengths clear at the furlong pole but more or less walked over the line to win by one length over the progressive New Latin. A drop back in trip for this race should prove perfect for the speedy selection, who looks off a fantastic mark on his first outing into Nursery races.
Tags: