Hannon targets Star Stakes with three runners

Longines Irish Champions Weekend EBF Stallions Star Stakes (Listed) | 7f | 2yo fillies | RUK

The feature race at Sandown is a fiercely competitive Listed race for juveniles. It appears an open affair and has attracted a field of ten, with four reopposing from a strong-looking Empress Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.

Richard Hannon is triple-handed, as he sends out Campion, Tajaanus and Billesdon Brook in the pursuit of black type. Billesdon Brook only broke her maiden tag at the fourth time of asking, but has raced in hot company, and her two second place finishes behind Nyaleti and Rose Bowl winner Madeline now look solid.

William Buick and Mark Johnston team up with Cape Bunting, who is unbeaten in two starts. She won readily on her debut at Newmarket before romping home in a novice race at Musselburgh. The same connections joined forces to win this race with Fireglow in 2015.

Mark Johnston and William Buick won this race with Fireglow (pictured) two years ago, the pair are represented by Cape Bunting this time aroundCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The magic launchpad

In the last five runnings of the race the winner has come from either stall seven or eight. Elizabeth Bennet and Cape Bunting are in the lucky berths this time round.

New trips

Seven of the field are taking on 7f for the first time, but don’t let this worry you as three of the four previous winners were also doing so.

Chasing the value

Aside from Roz's shock win at 28-1 in 2012, well-fancied horses tend to dominate. The last three runnings have all been won by the favourite, so it may be wise to stick to those at the head of the market.

What they say

James Tate, trainer of Royal Parks
She’s a nice progressive filly and stepped up on her debut impressively at Haydock. She needed little more than a quick nudge and we think she’s ready for the step up. My other Bated Breath’s haven’t minded some ease in the ground and she has a nice rounded action.

Archie Watson, trainer of So Hi Society
Some juice in the ground is important to her and the extra distance should be beneficial. She was third in the Empress on good to soft and I was pleased with her effort in the Duke Of Cambridge at the July meeting. They set a track record and she was there at the end with Clemmie.

Karl Burke, trainer of Ellthea
Ellthea is a smart filly and she is improving, any juice in the ground is a plus too. She’s nicely bred and we will be targeting black type with her now, whether this comes at Sandown we will see. The step up in trip is another positive.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Capomento
She deserves her chance in a race like this after her debut win at Ripon. In an ideal world we wouldn’t want any soft in the going but we’ll have to see.