HAPPY HANNON
Romance back as first-time owners win £85,000 Sprint
RICHARD HANNON continued his stable’s dominance of the Weatherbys Super Sprint as Happy Romance lived up to her 10030 favourite’s billing to pocket the £85,000 first prize.
Sean Levey and Queen Mary Stakes fifth Happy Romance beat Jojo Rabbit by two and three-quarter lengths to give Hannon a third win in the race his father, Richard snr, captured on no fewer than seven occasions.
Happy Romance carries the colours of first-time owners Ray and Claire McMurray and the winning trainer said: “We need to keep new people coming into this sport and this is what this race is about.”
Hannon also enjoyed a good payday in France, where
Ventura Tormenta, running in the silks of the Middleham Park Racing syndicate, overturned Norfolk Stakes hero The Lir Jet in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly.
Ed Walker’s, right, stable stalwart Stormy Antarctic ran a fine second in Chantilly’s Group One Prix d’Ispahan, which went to Persian King.
A’Ali, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, is set for a return to the highest level after pouncing late under Colin Keane for the
Group Two Sapphire Stakes over five furlongs at the Curragh.
“I thought I was in trouble at one stage, but he picked up really well and ran to the line,” said the successful jockey.
■ QUEEN JO JO gave her rider Sam James the biggest win of his career when reeling in Breathtaking Look close home to spring a 25-1 surprise in the Group Two William Hill Summer Fillies’ Stakes at York.