Hannon’s Hand
If there is a certain thing this week, it is that Richard Hannon will be walking off with the G2 Norfolk S. on Thursday with either of his precocious stable stars Log Out Island (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) or King of Rooks (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). The former, who dealt the first major blow to the reputation of the subsequent G2 Coventry S. winner Buratino (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) when upstaging that colt by 5 1/2 lengths on his sole start over this track and trip Apr. 29, has been acquired by Godolphin. Buratino went on to be five-lengths second to Al Shaqab Racing’s recent purchase King of Rooks in the Listed National S. over this trip at Sandown May 28. That race also featured Tuesday’s Listed Windsor Castle S. second and third Areen (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Steady Pace (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), as well Handytalk (Ire) (Lilbourne Lad {Ire}), the colt who had split Log Out Island and Buratino in an Ascot conditions race Apr. 29. At this stage, not even Hannon knows who sits above the other and the truth will be laid bare on Ascot’s turf. “We think they are two smart 2-year-olds and I would not like to hazard a guess as to which is the better,” he commented. “They are the two top-rated colts in the race, they are drawn next to each and we can’t split them, so we’d happily settle for a dead-heat.”
“Obviously, Buratino has given the form a timely boost,” Hannon added. “All I know is that both ours have plenty of speed and I just hope we are standing in the winner’s circle with at least one of them.”
Of the unexposed ones who could be able to get within hailing distance of that duo, the Cool Silk Partnership’s Jazz Legend (Scat Daddy) is worthy of consideration. Displaying impressive raw speed on debut to win over this trip on good-to-soft ground at Haydock May 29, the bay looked a professional there and this surface should bring out improvement. “He made a very good impression at Haydock on ground that was probably against him,” trainer James Given said. “He traveled well through the race, was the last horse off the bridle and quickened up well, so I think faster ground at Ascot will really suit him. He has to improve as other horses in the race have probably achieved more than him, but we are hoping for progression and he deserves his place.”
Charlie Hills saddles another with as-yet untapped potential in Shanghai Glory (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who scored by 3 1/2 lengths at Nottingham May 19. “The form of the race he won is working out well and this very straightforward horse has been in great form at home since,” his trainer said.