Thursday 8th July 2010
Hannon dominance continues
RICHARD Hannon’s stranglehold on the two-year-old division tightened yet further as Libranno (above) delivered something of a surprise success in the Group 2 TNT July Stakes this afternoon.
Elzaam, runner-up in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, was many people’s banker for the entire meeting and was sent off accordingly at 4/7.
But Hannon-trained juveniles can never be written off and Libranno built on a debut success at the Rowley Mile course in May with an impressive 10/1 victory in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Elzaam tried to match the free-wheeling Libranno on the front end but couldn’t go on approaching the final furlong and in the end Hannon’s charge was chased home by Neebras.
The margin of Libranno’s success was three parts of a length and it followed stable-mate Memory’s win in yesterday’s Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes - the two-year-old fillies Group 2, also staged over 6f.
Moore said: “Libranno is a very tough horse and he saw this out very well.”
Earlier in the day, Frankie Dettori got Champagne Lanson Ladies Day off to a flying start as he booted home favourite Corsica by the three-quarters of a length in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy.
Trainer Mark Johnston’s charge reversed the form of a hot Musselburgh handicap with Harris Tweed, who was 18lb worse off at the weights here for the rematch.
Dettori said of the 15/8 winner: “He is a good stayer and got the job done. He is a grand horse - a bit quirky - but he goes forward and wins races.”
