Hannon horse heads market for sprint

DE BRUYNE HORSE heads the betting at 7-2 with Paddy Power to give Richard Hannon a second success in Saturday’s Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury.

“I have spoken to Tim Palin of Middleham Park (owners of De Bruyne Horse) and we’ve decided to run at Newbury,” said Hannon.

“He’s also in the Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday but he would be up against Clive Cox’s filly (Royal Ascot winner Heartache) there.

“He’s run in a few good races this season and has not let anyone down.”

Hannon will be hoping to keep the race in the family. His father won the ® prize seven times before handing over the licence to his son, who landed the race in his first season training with Tiggy Wiggy in 2014.

“I just think that in the Super Sprint, there will be horses that haven’t got the ability that our horse has,” added Hannon.

“Although it is dropping back to five furlongs he has got the speed. He might enjoy passing a few and it gives us a chance to get back to winning ways.”

Joe Tuite, who hopes to better his previous record in the race when he saddled Field Of Vision to finish third in 2015, runs Mother Of Dragons.

“The filly is in good shape and we are looking forward to Saturday,” said Tuite. “I thought she ran well at Ascot. We were not disappointed and ever since then we have been aiming at this race.

“We get in off a very raceable weight that’s for sure, and there doesn’t appear to be a Tiggy Wiggy or the likes turning up this time.

“It doesn’t look that way at the moment anyway!

“I am very happy with mine and, off eight stone with Jimmy Quinn on board, I wouldn’t swap her.”

Darlington trainer Michael Dods is hoping the forecast rain arrives in time for Time Trail.

“She’s in good form and there is a good chance she will run provided the ground doesn’t get too quick,” said Dods. “She has won her two starts and we feel it’s worth a go.”