Hannon relishing Royal Ascot rematch with Lockinge third Rosallion
The Hannon family have an exceptional record in their local racecourse's Group One highlight, with the likes of Paco Boy (2010), Canford Cliffs (2011), Olympic Glory (2014) and Night Of Thunder (2015) on the roll of honour.
Rosallion drifted out to 9-4 from his early morning position as favourite and having not run since winning the St James's Palace Stakes 12 months ago, a lack of match practice told in the end.
A 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 win for @LeveySean
Rosallion battles to the line in the St James's Palace Stakes#ITVRacing | #RoyalAscot | @rhannonracing pic.twitter.com/sCqs4VrVJa
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 18, 2024
He was beaten two-and-a-quarter lengths by John and Thady Gosden's Lead Artist, but Hannon is relishing locking horns with those ahead of him once again in the Queen Anne Stakes next month.
Hannon said: 'He's an extremely good horse and will strip a lot fitter next time and will take a lot of beating at Ascot. I'm looking forward to Ascot.
'I think for all big owners and trainers, all roads lead to Ascot and especially with this horse it is almost impossible to get him to run his best race on his first race.
'He's a year older now but he did take a bit (of getting ready) last year and that may have just cost us a Guineas. But he's proved he's the horse he was last year and almost hit the front there and he will improve for it.
'It boils down to match fitness and I have no doubt he will run very well at Ascot. They are all very good horses and of course I'm disappointed not to win, but I'm sure in a couple of hours I will be happy he has actually run a really good race.
'He travelled into the race lovely and Sean (Levey, jockey on Rosallion) and William (Buick) on Notable Speech are probably both in the same boat in thinking that their horses will improve massively and they are both proven Group One winners.'
Also making his comeback was the aforementioned Notable Speech, who denied Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas last season before seeing the tables turned at Royal Ascot.
Just a short head separated the pair at Newbury, with Notable Speech's trainer Charlie Appleby joining Hannon in looking ahead to another high-profile clash at the Royal meeting.
'I'm delighted and William said he showed all his old enthusiasm,' said Appleby.
'He's travelled and you can see from Will's body language he's holding on to him and tracking the horse he felt was the right horse to go and attack.
'He just got tired in the last 200 yards but it will put him spot on for Ascot.'
One of the early stars of the Flat season has undoubtedly been Roger Teal's Dancing Gemini, who is still searching for an elusive top-level triumph having rattled the crossbar once again in being beaten just a neck in second.
Lead Artist was 13 lengths behind Dancing Gemini when Teal's charge won the bet365 Mile at Sandown last month and the trainer said: 'The winner has beaten us before and he obviously needed that race badly at Sandown. I did think he was well overpriced and not to be taken lightly.
'The ground was rattling fast, Ryan (Moore) said it was as quick as he's ever been on and just felt the ground might have beaten us.
'We don't duck and dive, he's only gone down a neck and he's put the rest of the field a good distance behind him.
'He had an awkward draw on the flank there (in stall one) so Ryan had to take him back to get a bit of cover, he said he was a little further back than he wanted to be but what else do you do when you're stuck out there?
'He's gone down on his sword and he hasn't let us down. He'll be a Group One winner on his day.'
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