Dubai: Trainer Richard Hannon is confident that Godolphin’s Toormore can rediscover his winning ways when he runs in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood Racecourse on Saturday.
The talented five year old is winless in four starts since the Group 2 Mile at Sandown Park in April, but Hannon believes that he has a live chance of winning the popular £100,000 (Dh485,191) contest which pits the Classic generation against the more experienced older horses.
Toormore tries for a third course success at Goodwood having previously won the Group 3 Vintage Stakes in 2013 and the Group 2 Lennox Stakes in 2015.
On his last start over course and distance he was a staying on fourth behind French 2,000 Guineas hero The Gurkha in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes.
William Buick takes the ride on Toormore, who faces four rivals including Glorious Goodwood scorer Thikriyaat, Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes third Lightning Spear and Group 2 winner Arod.
Hannon commented on the Godolphin website: “The Celebration Mile looks a nice race for Toormore.
“He is in great form and has had a nice break since the Sussex Stakes. The form of that race has obviously turned out really well, with the third Ribchester going on to win the G1 Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
“I think Toormore should have an outstanding chance on Saturday.”
Thikriyaat represents Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
He has won four of his five career starts and Angus Gold, racing manager for Hamdan Al Maktoum, said in Sporting Life: “It looks like the logical next step and going through the race there are all the hardened types in there like Toormore and he [Thikriyaat] is a young gun coming through.
“At Ascot, he was crying out for a mile and in time I’m sure he’ll stay 10 furlongs.
“He’s a lovely horse in that all he wants to do is please you. He’s not flashy in any way. He just does enough and is progressing very nicely.
Goodwood also hosts the Group 3 Prestige Stakes where Grecian Light represents Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby.
The daughter of Shamardal made a winning debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket in July bust she was beaten a length and a half by Hannon’s Nations Alexander in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
Appleby said: “Grecian Light stepped up on her maiden win when she was second in the Sweet Solera Stakes last time out.
“She has done well at home since that run and I am confident she will give a good account of herself at Goodwood.”
Godolphin have a third runner at Goodwood in Flash Fire who takes his chance in the 20-runner Goodwood Revival Handicap over seven furlongs.
The four-year-old Shamardal colt landed the Victoria Cup Handicap over seven furlongs at Ascot in May and has run some good races in defeat since then.
Latest Odds
Celebration Mile (G2)
At Goodwood Racecourse, UK
Thikriyaat 15/8, Zonderland 9/4, Toormore 9/2, Lightning Spear 6/1, Arod 7/1.
