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Hannon issues ground concerns for Canford bid

RICHARD Hannon has warned that very fast ground could rule his Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner Canford Cliffs out of the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 28.


Hannon has also stated that stablemate Paco Boy is likely to contest the Prix Jacques Le Marois next, while plans have not been decided for Dick Turpin.



The trainer said: "Canford Cliffs has got a bit burly, I'd say and he is going to need some work this week. We wouldn't want it very firm at Goodwood. We took him to France for the Morny and he came back jarred to hell. They hadn't put any water on and the ground was rough and firm.

"The hill didn't help him at Newmarket either but now he settles, he has a lovely turn of foot and has made up into a proper racehorse."


Hannon said there had been interest in Canford Cliffs as a stallion but he hoped he and Dick Turpin would stay in training another year whatever happens.

"Paco Boy will definitely run in the Jacques Le Marois and probably go to stud this year," the trainer said. "I'm not sure where Dick Turpin will go but I think he will get a mile and a quarter which will open up the entries slightly."

Hannon is aiming Coventry Stakes winner Strong Suit at the Phoenix Stakes and Memory, who won the Albany and the Cherry Hinton Stakes, at the Moyglare Stud Stakes while at Goodwood he could field Zebedee in the Molecomb Stakes, Libranno (Richmond) and King Torus (Vintage).