GIVEN the number of winning youngsters he has sent out this season, there could hardly be a more apt winner of today's two-year-old race at Goodwood than Richard Hannon's Prolific.
The colt has already contributed one victory to his trainer's amazing tally of over 40 juvenile successes and can add another in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes, a contest Hannon hasn't landed for 16 years.
Prolific's sole triumph to date came on his
debut at Newmarket and although beaten three times since, he's been mixing it with the best on his last couple of starts, finishing third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot and then taking bronze again on his return to Headquarters last time out.
That Ascot form is superior to anything this afternoon's rivals have managed and Prolific can lead them a merry dance.
Stablemate Roly Boy is fancied in the nursery, where the handicapper has dropped him by 5lb since his latest start at Ascot.
Tennis lovers who latched on to Third Set when he lifted the totesport Mile last year won't have to look far for their selection in this afternoon's race with Fifteen Love among the field, but Masaalek could be the cream of the crop, though don't count out Jim Goldie's Dhaular Dhar.
The opener is complicated by five of the runners only taking part if the ground is suitable. As the selection, former St Leger winner Sixties Icon, is one of them, fingers crossed the going meets with his connection's approval.
The Stewards' Sprint, a consolation event for those who didn't make it into tomorrow's Stewards' Cup, can go to the first-time visored Express Wish, while a tongue tie helped Bosun Breese to his first win in a year last time out and may work its magic again in the last.
The Oak Tree Stakes may be bound for Ireland, but for once, not to Aidan O'Brien's yard but to the County Kildare base of Frances Crowley, albeit there will still be a Ballydoyle connection as the mare will be ridden by Johnny Murtagh.
Montrachet hasn't visited the winners' circle for a wee while but Michael Bell's filly, and the nap, has been slowly slipping down the handicap.
She takes a drop in class at Haydock this evening where she'll carry just a pound more than her last winning rating and with the Merseyside track forecast to be hit with heavy rain, conditions should be spot-on.
The full article contains 418 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
