Expert analysis and trainer views as Hannon eyes another Super Sprint pot

2.50 NewburyWeatherbys Super Sprint Stakes | 5f | 2yo | ITV4/RTV

A cavalry charge of 25 two-year-olds may appear on first glance an absolute lottery, but the draw has been a key shortcut to narrowing down the field.

The last winner from a single-figure stall was Charles The Great (five) in 2011. Since then, the next eight winners have come from stall ten or above.

This bodes well for the two market principals, Get It and Happy Romance, who are drawn next to each other in 15 and 16 respectively.

Both come into the race following excellent runs at Royal Ascot, with Get It fourth in the Windsor Castle, while Happy Romance was fifth in the Queen Mary.

The form of both races is working out very well. Windsor Castle one-two Tactical and Yazaman filled the same places next time out in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket, while Queen Mary fourth Sardinia Sunset won the Listed Marygate at York. Caroline Dale, third in the Queen Mary, took a lesser event at Windsor next time for good measure.

Happy Romance: fifth in the Queen Mary at Royal AscotCredit: Pool

While Happy Romance was a winner on her second start at Sandown, Get It is a maiden after two starts. Winners of the Super Sprint have usually hit the target prior to coming to Newbury, and you have to go back to Lady Livius in 2005 to find a maiden winner of the race. She struck at 100-1 for Richard Hannon snr.

The only other runner in the field at single-figure odds is Lullaby Moon, who did not go to Royal Ascot, and makes her debut for Michael Bell and connections having been sold following a winning debut at Goodwood for Joe Tuite.

On bare form, Lullaby Moon needs to find more, while Bell has only had one juvenile winner (from 14 runners) at Newbury in the last five seasons.

Jojo Rabbit has not been quite as effective on turf compared to his first two efforts on the all-weather, but he was not disgraced in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot when eighth, and only weakened out of the places late on in a Listed race at Sandown last time. Newbury could suit him better than the stiff finish he encountered that day.

Tinochio showed bright speed at Hamilton last time out when winning, but has been drawn in stall one, while Brazen Belle is two from three and has a light weight, but again could have been drawn better in five.

Four of the last five winners have returned double-figure SPs, and looking further down the betting, a case could be made for Nelson Gay, who has shown ability on each of his three starts, and should be suited by coming back to the minimum trip.

Soldierpoy has done nothing wrong for Tom Clover, who made a fast start when racing resumed, while David Loughnane has had big-priced juveniles make the frame in Group races this season with Caroline Dale and Santosha. His runner, Kim Wexler, showed ability on debut when second at Chepstow and is well-drawn in stall 25.
Analysis by David Baxter

Keeping it in the family

In 1991, the Super Sprint was staged for the first time, with Richard Hannon snr a pioneering figure in introducing a race designed to offer cheaper purchases at the yearling sales the chance of a big payday.

Richard Hannon snr: won the Super Sprint seven timesCredit: Hugh Routledge

The first running of the race may have gone to the Jack Berry-trained Paris House, but since then the Hannon family have made the race their own, with nine victories. Hannon snr is responsible for seven of those, including subsequent Nunthorpe winner Lyric Fantasy but his son has picked up the mantle with aplomb, and was last successful two years ago with Ginger Nut.

Hannon's other winner, Tiggy Wiggy in 2014, is one of the best in the race's history, as she went on to Group 1 glory in the Cheveley Park that season.

Hannon-trained Super Sprint winners

1992 Lyric Fantasy
1993 Risky
1996 Miss Stamper
2002 Presto Vento
2003 If Paradise
2005 Lady Livius
2009 Monsieur Chevalier
2014 Tiggy Wiggy
2018 Ginger Nut

Prior to her Super Sprint win, Tiggy Wiggy was just denied in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, and Hannon's main chance on Sunday, Happy Romance, comes into the race after a fine fifth in the same race behind Campanelle.

Hannon said: "I was delighted with Happy Romance's run in the Queen Mary, she's a strong traveller, tough and goes on any ground so I’d be very hopeful of a big run."

Given the strength and depth at Hannon's disposal in the juvenile ranks, it is no surprise the trainer is mob-handed with three further chances, and he added: "I was very pleased with Kool Moe Dee's latest run at Windsor and I wouldn’t be writing him off. I’m not really convinced Cirrus got seven at Salisbury so the drop in trip will help as she has a high cruising speed and this track will suit. Risque needs to step up considerably on her run in the Queen Mary and if she can run a nice race I’ll be happy."

What they say

Richard Hughes, trainer of Aussie Stormer and Nelson Gay
Aussie Stormer has work to do giving weight, but I like him. He wasn't quite ready for his debut but he travelled well then just weakened late. Nelson Gay was unlucky to be touched off last time and I've always thought a bit of him. I took him to Yarmouth and he was beaten by the Norfolk winner [The Lir Jet]. I'd prefer if it was over six for him but they both deserve their chance.

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Tinochio
I was very impressed with his win at Hamilton, he's got a lot of natural speed but saw it out well. He's got the right sort of profile for this race.

Tinochio: lines up for the in-form Kevin Ryan team at NewburyCredit: Grossick Photography

Clive Cox, trainer of Get It
We were pleased with him at Ascot because he had to work hard from a low draw. He had a proper race and the form has worked out well with Tactical following up. You always need a bit of luck with a big field but he's got tactical speed and experience which stands him in good stead.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Enduring
Enduring won well last time and I don't think dropping back to five will inconvenience him.

David O'Meara, trainer of Rishworthian and Brazen Belle
Rishworthian is dropping back to five furlongs from six which isn't necessarily a positive. We did run him over five first time but he didn't run very well. When we fitted the visor last time he showed a bit more sharpness so we're hoping the five will be okay.
Brazen Belle won under a penalty earlier in the week at Catterick and she has no weight. The booking of Josephine Gordon is a positive.

Tom Clover, trainer of Soldierpoy
We've got a bit to find with the likes of Get It and Happy Romance. He's a strong traveller so you'd think a race like this would suit him. As long as he behaves in the stalls he can run a big race. It would be lovely to think he can outrun his odds and place.

Michael Bell, trainer of Lullaby Moon
She's a new horse to us and arrived in fine fettle. Her new owners were keen to aim her at this and she has worked nicely. Whether stall six is good or not we'll have to see.

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