Gimcrack ace Lusail has Hannon purring - and preparing for a 2,000 Guineas bid

Lusail entered esteemed company by carrying a penalty to victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes to leave trainer Richard Hannon believing he has a Classic contender on his hands.

Not many successfully lug the extra 3lb in the Gimcrack. But Lusail did when following up his July Stakes win under Pat Dobbs.

Betfair Sportsbook made the Al Shaqab Racing-owned son of Mehmas a 25-1 shot for next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas, while cutting him to 6-1 for the Middle Park and Dewhurst.

"This is the one two-year-old I have who really has the class and the scope for next year," said Hannon, who won the Gimcrack two years ago with Threat.

"He's undoubtedly a Guineas horse. He's in the Middle Park, Dewhurst and the Lagardere and he'll take on one of those. He slides under the radar, but the best ones are like that.

"He's a very uncomplicated horse and has proved he gets seven. To a point, he's not really been in his coat all year and the best thing we did was not go to Royal Ascot with him."

Dobbs took his unbeaten record on Lusail to three and gets aboard Hannon's Molecomb winner Armor, who is also owned by Al Shaqab, in Sunday's Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

On Lusail, Hannon added: "He's laid-back like Dobbsy and the two of them go well together – neither of them really like people."

Sam Cooke just comes out on topCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cooke cures Hornby blues

Friday began much better than Thursday ended for Rob Hornby with success on Sam Cooke in the 1m4f handicap.

It was a belated first winner at the meeting for a jockey who had hoped to land the Galtres Stakes on Abstinence the previous afternoon only to take a blow to the face and not even get into the stalls.

"We were having no luck at all," he said. "Thankfully it's changed now.

"The horse caught me in the face going into the stalls, she got me both barrels and it was a bit of a mess. She ended up not running and we thought she had a massive chance. It's nice that fortunes have changed."

Hoo Ya Mal (Oisin Murphy) shoots clearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Woohoo for Balding

Andrew Balding's leading juveniles Sandrine and Berkshire Shadow failed to fire this week, but the trainer gained compensation when Hoo Ya Mal won the £70,000 Convivial Maiden, the richest race of its kind in Britain.

Winning rider Oisin Murphy said: "He's improved loads from his first start and I was impressed with the feel he gave me. He hit the line well and is a horse for next year. I think he's very smart."

Replays, results and analysis

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