Hannon plays it Kool in Group 2 race his stable dominates

3.30 Sandown

Bet365 Mile (Group 2) | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV3/RUK

Like father, like son. No matter who holds the licence, the runner sent up from Herridge Stables in Marlborough is the one to concentrate on, if recent history is any guide.

Richard Hannon senior won this Group 2 race seven times from 2004 to 2013, with Hurricane Alan and Paco Boy contributing twice apiece alongside Major Cadeaux, Dick Turpin and Trumpet Major.

And following the four-time champion trainer's retirement at the end of 2013, Richard Hannon junior has already enhanced the family record, thanks to Toormore 12 months ago.

Stablemate Kool Kompany, a winner in Listed company at Doncaster earlier in the month, is likely to be the centre of attention in the richest of four races to be shown live on ITV3 – as ITV4 is taken up with coverage of the Tour de Yorkshire.

Bidding for a third success
David O'Meara brought Penitent down from Yorkshire to score in 2012 and repeated the feat with Custom Cut in 2015. This time he runs Mondialiste, who won the Arlington Million in the USA last year.

Aiming to break the age barrier
No horse older than six has won this race, which was first run in 1985, so the seven-year-old Mondialiste and Gabrial and Sovereign Debt (both eight) are bidding to break new ground.

Not a race for outsiders
None of the last ten winners has started at odds longer than 5-1 but the last five favourites have all been beaten.

Real money-spinner
If the stalwart Gabrial, who was fourth under a big weight in the Lincoln four weeks ago, finishes in the first six he will win enough prize money to take his career earnings past £700,000.

What they say

Richard Fahey, trainer of Gabrial
He's been a legend and he's in great form, I'm very happy with him. There aren't many races for horses of his calibre but he was fifth in this last year and I'd be delighted if he could get in the money.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Jallota
He's had the first holiday of his life this winter as he's usually been running at Meydan so we'll see how he does but I've been pleased with his work and I think he’s grown a little bit. I wouldn't say he's 100 per cent race-sharp and he’ll come on for the run but he's pretty fit. He's never really got a mile before and it'll be interesting to see how he goes, especially on that stiff finish.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Kool Kompany
He surprised me a little bit last time – that he was so far forward. He doesn't need much work between races, he keeps himself fit, and if he handles the track he should go well. He doesn't have the assistance of Ryan Moore this time but Pat Dobbs is riding well and he knows the horse.

David Lanigan, trainer of Mitchum Swagger
Mine have been needing a run to get going this year but he's in good form and I hope he'll give a good account. The ground is usually on the good side for this meeting and I'm hoping there won't be any firm in it.

Jason Kelly, assistant to David O'Meara, trainer of Mondialiste
He is back to a mile, which should suit him. It's his first run in the UK for a while but his last was when second to Time Test at York and that's quite good form.

Ruth Carr, trainer of Sovereign Debt
He came out of his win at Lingfield very well. It's obviously a hard race but he's in with a chance of at least getting some place prize money. He seems to handle turf just as well as the all-weather.

John Gosden, trainer of Tashweeq
He suffered a shin injury as a two-year-old and had the whole of last year off. He's entitled to be ring rusty but has been doing everything right at home.

Roger Varian, trainer of Dawn Of Hope
I was delighted with Dawn Of Hope’s reappearance run at Doncaster under a penalty and she has been in fine form since. If she can build on that performance here then she ought to be in the thick of things, although the draw could have been kinder.