Libranno eyeing Darley July Cup after Newmarket glory
Trainer Richard Hannon has set sights on the Darley July Cup (British Champions Series And Global Sprint Challenge) after his charge, Libranno, clinched a handsome victory in the John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket last weekend.
Under Richard Hughes, Libranno’s success in the Group 3 event was a huge upset. The 4-year-old began very well and set steady pace until quickened over 2f out. He unleashed his best in the final moments and ran on well to ensure the top position by half
a length.
Edinburgh Knight was not much behind. In the hands of William Buick, the Paul D'Arcy-trained had every chance of making it all, but failed to quicken near the finishing line. As a result, the five-year-old narrowly missed the glory. However, he was lucky
to seize the runner-up spot by ½ a length.
Majestic Myles was also lucky to end up among top-3. The Richard Fahey-trained nabbed the third position only by a neck’s distance. The final outcome was a huge setback for Hoof It, who was given the highest odds ahead of the race.
The 6-4 favourite tracked the winner until shaken up over 2f out. Although Michael Easterby’s charge ran well in the final stages, he could not do anything special. Consequently, the 5-year-old ended up fifth on the table.
Libranno was terrible in his opening two appearances this season. The colt regained his form with a wonderful act in the Bathwick Tyres Cathedral Stakes at Salisbury. After two extraordinary performances, he is all set to pursue the big prize in the July
Cup - a race that saw him finishing fourth last year.
"Libranno did not scope well earlier in the season, but he bounced back at Salisbury and he has just got better and better. He ran a stormer for a three-year-old to finish close up in fourth in last season's July Cup and he is now that much stronger, so
he must go there with an each-way squeak,” said Hannon on http://www.richardhannonracing.co.uk/.
"Ollie (McDowell, owner) is then keen on the Lennox (at Goodwood), but there is also the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France, where the six-and-a-half-furlong trip would be ideal," he added.
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