Libranno to be a star in Richmond
Friday’s Richmond Stakes at Goodwood has proved a happy hunting ground in recent years for trainer Richard Hannon. He has visited the winner’s enclosure for the past two seasons with Prolific in 2008 and more recently with the highly talented d**k Turpin. This year he relies upon Libranno to give him a hat trick of wins in this Group 2 contest over a distance of six furlongs.
It is slightly disappointing that he will face just five opponents in the event, due off at 4.00pm, although they are a very promising bunch of juveniles. Libranno is likely to be a hot favourite for this, but his position at the head of the market is fully justified on the evidence of his two career starts to date.
Unbeaten so far, his opening success in an above average maiden at Newmarket may well have come as something of a surprise to the stable, as he went off an unfancied 25/1 chance. However, this son of Librettist belied those odds by making every yard of the running to score by a neck from Ecliptic.
His final outing came in the Group 2 TNT July Stakes at Newmarket and beforehand, connections stated that they were hopeful of a good run rather than confident. They need not have worried as he quickly made his way to the front of the field and was never headed, staying on well to beat Neebras by three parts of a length.
That form looks good enough to win this, but the word from the stable is that he has improved again since and is therefore going to take the world of beating, especially with the stable’s two-year-olds running so well at present.
Marine Commando set to attack
The most likely danger to him is the Richard Fahey-trained Marine Commando. He has a similar profile to the favourite in that he has two wins from two runs and he showed marked improvement last time. Having easily disposed of an average bunch of maidens at Carlisle on his debut, he took his chance in the listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He looked in trouble inside the final furlong, when stuck behind a wall of horse. However, when a gap appeared, he showed a terrific turn of foot to seize the opportunity and snatch the lead close home. The winning margin of a neck over Petronius Maximus could be deceiving, as with a clear passage he may well have won by much further. Further progress seems assured and he should at least make the frame, though he will have to improve significantly to overcome Libranno.
The rest of the field
Satin Love is the least exposed in the line up and Mark Johnston’s Mineshaft colt made a very promising start to his career. In fact he could hardly have been more impressive, making all the running and quickening away inside the final furlong to record a facile victory.
It is difficult to know just how gifted he is as that was far from the best maiden you will see this year, but with plenty of scope for improvement, he could prove to be the best of the outsiders.
The fastest horse on speed figures is Roayh, who comes from the stable of Saeed Bin Suroor. He achieved this when finishing third to Strong Suit in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, a performance that would definitely give him a chance here.
Unfortunately, his last effort was a poor one when taking a drop in class for a conditions event at Newmarket. Sent off the well-backed even money favourite, he attempted to make all the running but was headed a furlong from home. Under pressure, he folded tamely and trailed in a well-beaten third behind Casual Glimpse. That performance is nowhere near good enough to win this and it is possible that the horse may have had enough for the year and is therefore worth opposing.
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