Dragon’s career can take flight with first win

Hannon finds nice slot for former French hope to break his duck

FLYING DRAGON is one of the most interesting runners of the day in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Maiden Stakes at Ffos Las.

Now in the care of Richard Hannon, he actually started life in France where he had just one run for Matthieu Palussiere.

That was a very promising effort, finishing second of 13 at Chantilly to a horse who has subsequently finished second at Listed level.

Behind the War Command colt that day were runners from Andre Fabre and Jean-Claude Rouget et al so it looks a strong race for the grade.

Bought for £175,000, it will be disappointing if he can not break his duck in this sort of company.

On the same card WAR DRUMS can make it third time lucky in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Foreign Exchange Novice Stakes.

Midfield on his sole outing for Luca Cumani last year, he has been moved to John Butler and he took a big step forward when second at this venue last month.

The winner, Formula One, is held in very high regard by Hugo Palmer, and until he hit top gear late on War Drums looked like collecting the prize.

He can be expected to have improved mentally and physically as that was his first run for well over a year and he could be a decent handicapper in time.

The step up in trip should suit Eve Johnson Houghton’s CANAVESE in the 188Bet Mobile Bet10 Get20 Fillies’ Novice Auction Stakes at Lingfield.

Fifth of nine on debut at Lingfield, the runner up that day was Archie Watson’s Concello and it was that same rival who would prove just too strong the next time Canavese went racing.

That is not bad form though as Watson’s filly has subsequently defied a penalty and the step up to a mile should bring about more improvement in Canavese given there is plenty of stamina in her family.

SELECTIONS

FFOS LAS: 4.30 Vino Rosso, 5.00 Cent Flying, 5.30 Jazzy Girl, 6.00 FLYING DRAGON (NAP), 6.30 War Drums, 7.00 With Pleasure, 7.35 Big Bad Lol.

LINGFIELD: 1.40 Glyder, 2.10 Canavese, 2.40 Havana Mariposa, 3.10 Glorious Army, 3.40 Whatwouldyouknow, 4.10 Moretti, 4.45 Panmolle, 5.15 Kodiac Pearl.

DOUBLE: Flying Dragon and Floria Tosca.