Rosallion returns in star-studded Lockinge
Runner-up to the reopposing Notable Speech in last year's 2000 Guineas, the Blue Point colt comprehensively reversed that form in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, with a narrow Classic triumph in the Irish Guineas sandwiched in between.
Having seen his season cut short as a respiratory infection forced him to miss Goodwood's Sussex Stakes, Rosallion must overcome an 11-month absence in Saturday's Group One feature and Hannon is keeping his fingers crossed he is fit enough to do himself justice.
What a finish! @LeveySean skillfully snatches victory on ROSALLION in The St James's Palace Stakes. Hats off to @rhannonracing 🎩 #RoyalAscot #FlatRacing pic.twitter.com/YOcR2ukHdU
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 18, 2024
'He's been off the track for a long time and that is a hard thing to get over,' said the trainer.
'He looks great and I'm looking forward to the race. He hasn't been able to get on the grass much, but I took him to Newbury twice and he worked great.
'It's probably the best Lockinge we've seen for a long time, but I'm just hopeful that he returns the same horse he was last year.
'If he is, then he should have a good year. I just hope Sheikh Mohammed Obaid (owner) hasn't used up all his luck this week having seen Inisherin come back and win at York earlier in the week!'
Rosallion's chief rival looks to be Roger Teal's Dancing Gemini, who has been firing on all cylinders this season, with an impressive comeback victory in the Doncaster Mile followed by a similarly dominant display in Sandown's bet365 Mile.
With Ryan Moore in the saddle for the first time and race fitness on his side, Teal is hoping his stable star can prove his worth at the highest level.
'We've been really happy with him, his work has been very good at home,' said the Lambourn handler.
'He's done nothing wrong at all, he backed up his Doncaster run at Sandown. He was impressive there and we're very happy with the shape he's in at home.
'The Sandown race was almost a Group One field in a Group Two, there were a couple having their first runs and they should improve, but I still thought he did it very well.
'Ryan is in the form of his life, he was brilliant on Wednesday and he's had a great couple of weeks, so please God that continues.'
Just under two lengths behind Dancing Gemini in second at Sandown was David Menuisier's Tamfana, a talented filly who won the Sun Chariot last season and hit the frame in several other Group One races.
'She's grand and in really good form and I feel she's come on for her run at Sandown,' said Menuisier.
'She runs her race every time and it's great to have a horse like this and be able to run in these races at the top level.
'It was a really good return to action at Sandown and she seems to have done well for it. There won't be many Group Ones run this year with a better line-up than this, so at least we'll know where we stand in the ranks and it will be both exciting and informative.'
The other filly in the field is Karl Burke's Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel. The Spigot Lodge handler said: 'She's in good form but she's a typical four-year-old filly now, she's got her own ideas at home and doesn't overdo herself.
'Not that she ever did really, she's just probably working a little bit more lackadaisical now, but she's ready to run and she had a little away day as well.
'She's fit and she's well, I'm very happy with her. It's very much a first run of the season and the target really is to have her spot on for Royal Ascot.'
Charlie Appleby's Notable Speech won the Guineas and the Sussex last year and will make his first appearance since finishing a close-up third in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
The trainer told the Godolphin website: 'We have been delighted with Notable Speech heading into the Lockinge. We took him to Newmarket for a day out at the Craven meeting and he has ticked every box ahead of his seasonal return.
'We are taking on Rosallion again and it looks a very strong renewal, as we expected. It's an exciting race to be part of and we couldn't be any happier with our horse.'
With Dylan Cunha's Prague a non-runner after spiking a temperature, John and Thady Gosden's Lead Artist, William Knight's Checkandchallenge and Hannon's second string Persica complete the field.
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