ONE OF THE most fascinating clashes of the season to date takes place in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury today, where stable stars Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin renew rivalry.
Most trainers would be delighted to train one such animal, so Richard Hannon must count himself extremely lucky to train both colts.
Canford Cliffs ended last season with a visually impressive victory over top-class miler Rip Van Winkle, and such was the excitement created by the performance that Coolmore subsequently purchased a share in the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’ Palace Stakes victor.
While Dick Turpin doesn’t inspire the same column inches as his rival, he is a Group One winner and superb colt in his own right. Having finished second three consequent times at the top level he finally opened his Group One account in Chantilly in July.
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While he didn’t quite give his running in the Juddmonte International over 10 furlongs, his length third to Goldikova over seven furlongs in Longchamp is as good a piece of form as any horse at this level has managed over the last few seasons.
Ryan Moore’s mount proved his well-being with a stunning comeback run at Sandown last month, quickening well and going clear despite giving Cityscape first run.
Twice Over returns to this trip for the first time since running a close third two seasons ago. He is undoubtedly a very capable horse, and Henry Cecil would not be aiming him at this if he felt he would not be competitive. But the fact that he has been campaigned at further and is getting on in terms of age means he may not have the pace at this stage of his career to beat tow improving four-year-olds.
Of the remainder of the field both Cityscape and Red Jazz have solid each-way claims. The former may prefer a drop of rain to give his true running, while Red Jazz may not have a huge amount to find to be competitive is his close third behind Poet’s Voice and Rip Van Winkle at the end of last term is taken literally.
Nap of the Day
While the fancy prices available earlier in the week have dried up, Dick Turpin still looks a good bet at 7/2. He may not be as visually impressive as his stable mate but the fact remains that in their three meeting he has won the match bet in two.
Canford may have improved more over the winter, but Dick Turpin has the benefit of a run and could not have been more impressive in his win at Sandown. Ryan Moore is an excellent booking, and he’ll know exactly how to exploit any weaknesses if the favourite turns up without has “A” game.
Each-Way
General Synod has a decent each-way chance in the 3.10 in Newbury. The Richard Hannon colt is on a reasonable mark after a good second here in a maiden last month, and bearing in mind that the third won next time out and the winner has Group One entries it may be more noteworthy than initially meets the eye. 8/1 is attractive.
Mark your card: Stables stars clash in Lockinge
ONE OF THE most fascinating clashes of the season to date takes place in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury today, where stable stars Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin renew rivalry.
Most trainers would be delighted to train one such animal, so Richard Hannon must count himself extremely lucky to train both colts.
Canford Cliffs ended last season with a visually impressive victory over top-class miler Rip Van Winkle, and such was the excitement created by the performance that Coolmore subsequently purchased a share in the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’ Palace Stakes victor.
While Dick Turpin doesn’t inspire the same column inches as his rival, he is a Group One winner and superb colt in his own right. Having finished second three consequent times at the top level he finally opened his Group One account in Chantilly in July.
While he didn’t quite give his running in the Juddmonte International over 10 furlongs, his length third to Goldikova over seven furlongs in Longchamp is as good a piece of form as any horse at this level has managed over the last few seasons.
Ryan Moore’s mount proved his well-being with a stunning comeback run at Sandown last month, quickening well and going clear despite giving Cityscape first run.
Twice Over returns to this trip for the first time since running a close third two seasons ago. He is undoubtedly a very capable horse, and Henry Cecil would not be aiming him at this if he felt he would not be competitive. But the fact that he has been campaigned at further and is getting on in terms of age means he may not have the pace at this stage of his career to beat tow improving four-year-olds.
Of the remainder of the field both Cityscape and Red Jazz have solid each-way claims. The former may prefer a drop of rain to give his true running, while Red Jazz may not have a huge amount to find to be competitive is his close third behind Poet’s Voice and Rip Van Winkle at the end of last term is taken literally.
Nap of the Day
While the fancy prices available earlier in the week have dried up, Dick Turpin still looks a good bet at 7/2. He may not be as visually impressive as his stable mate but the fact remains that in their three meeting he has won the match bet in two.
Canford may have improved more over the winter, but Dick Turpin has the benefit of a run and could not have been more impressive in his win at Sandown. Ryan Moore is an excellent booking, and he’ll know exactly how to exploit any weaknesses if the favourite turns up without has “A” game.
Each-Way
General Synod has a decent each-way chance in the 3.10 in Newbury. The Richard Hannon colt is on a reasonable mark after a good second here in a maiden last month, and bearing in mind that the third won next time out and the winner has Group One entries it may be more noteworthy than initially meets the eye. 8/1 is attractive.
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