'We've always liked her' - Richard Hannon expecting bold show in Flying Childers

Friday: 2.35 DoncasterWainwright Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2) | 2yo | 5f | ITV3/Sky

This is a two-horse race on form, with The Platinum Queen and Trillium upwards of 10lb clear of the rest of the field on Racing Post Ratings, and both are confirmed speedsters who look at their best over five furlongs.

The Platinum Queen holds the strongest claims on RPRs. She recorded a figure of 108 when second in the Nunthorpe at York last time and that gives her 2lb in hand of Trillium.

However, it's an usual preparation for this race and Trillium takes the more conventional route, coming here after an easy victory in the Molecomb at Goodwood.

Richard Hannon saddled the winners of this race in 2014 and 2015, while his father won it four times during his long career. It's evidently a race the stable targets and Hannon has had a further four horses placed in it in the last ten years.

Crispy Cat has been one of the most consistent juveniles in training this year, bar one blip in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh in June.

The Michael O'Callaghan-trained son of Ardad has recorded RPRs of 98 or 99 on four of his last five starts and that includes when placed in the National Stakes at Sandown and the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.

He bounced back from his Railway Stakes disappointment to finish fourth behind Royal Scotsman in the Richmond over six furlongs last time and should have the speed to cope with the return to five. Another placed finish, behind the market principals, is on the cards.

George Boughey saddled Corazon to finish third last year and runs Malrescia in a first-time tongue-strap. However, the trainer is just 3-28 with runners sporting that aid for the first time, for a loss of £16.67.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Platinum team on weather watch

Nunthorpe Stakes runner-up The Platinum Queen is back against her own age group after her near miss at York and confidence in her camp would be subdued only if Town Moor were hit by more rainfall.

The speedy filly loves five furlongs and top of the ground and already holds main rival Trillium on the clock, at least when she took the track record off the latter at Goodwood in July.

The Platinum Queen had previously also won at Ripon and York before her trailblazing effort at Group 1 level on the Knavesmire last month when she was overhauled only late on by Highfield Princess.

Jockey Oisin Orr has the chance to partner his most significant winner since joining up with trainer Richard Fahey this summer on the daughter of Cotai Glory, who bypassed an engagement in the Scarbrough Stakes on Wednesday to wait for this.

Tim Palin, racing manager to Middleham Park Racing, owners of The Platinum Queen, said: "She's a very fast filly who bounces off fast ground, so we'll keep an eye on the weather and hopefully they don't get too much more.

"It's suitable at the moment but you don't want the surface to blunt her speed, which is her biggest asset."

He added: "This was the logical race to go for after York. She's back against her own age group on a fair track, but it's not out-and-out speed, you do need to stay. We might learn something about her here, but I expect a replication of the Nunthorpe run would see her extremely competitive."

What they say

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Crispy Cat and Harry Time
Crispy Cat has plenty of ability. He was unlucky at Ascot and didn't really see out six furlongs on his next two starts but we felt he still ran well at Goodwood. I'm hopeful a very fast run race will suit him and he'll run a big race. Harry Time ran well for a long way in Ascot over six furlongs and probably didn't see it out. The race was over before he really got started at the Curragh when he missed the break. I do think he'll appreciate the ease in the ground. His work has been very good and he has plenty of ability so I can see him outrunning his odds.

Tom Palin, racing manager to Middleham Park Racing, owners of Prince Of Pillo
He won on his debut over six furlongs but he’s got plenty of speed, as he showed when coming back in trip to score in the Hornblower Stakes at Ripon last time. He was impressive that day and any rain that does fall would be no hindrance to him as we know he stays further.

Prince Of Pillo: 2-2 for Middleham Park RacingCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Funny Money Honey
She shows a lot of speed so hopefully the trip will be fine. I'm just hoping they don't get too much rain, although she did run well on soft ground in France earlier this year.

George Boughey, trainer of Malrescia
She’s been a star for us this year and she won’t mind any more rain as she won her second start at Hamilton on soft ground.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Trillium
We’ve always liked her and she showed she had the speed for this trip when winning the Molecomb at Goodwood last time. She broke the track record that day, so she should like Doncaster. It may be slower ground but she won on goodish ground prior to that at Newbury, so she should be okay on it.
Reporting by David Milnes

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