Horse Racing: Back Hannon's charge in his Pursuit of happiness at Sandown

Published on Thursday 2 July 2009 10:09

ANGEL'S PURSUIT is considered much better than his Royal Ascot placing and deserves another chance in the Foundation Developments Dragon Stakes at Sandown tomorrow.

One of a pair of Listed races on an interesting pre-Coral-Eclipse card, some sharp two-year-olds will be burning it up the five-furlong course in the middle of the Esher venue. That particular strip of ground provides rich pickings for the Richard Hannon team, who were very sweet on this half-brother to Group One winner Dark Angel after his encouraging debut victory at Newmarket.

Sent off favourite for the Windsor Castle Stakes, they will have expected better than an eighth-place finish, although Angel's Pursuit made steady headway towards the end. He should be sharper for this and have the requisite improvement in him to score.

The other Listed event, the Helical Bar Gala Stakes, looks at the mercy of Sir Michael Stoute's Confront, who will enjoy the step up to ten furlongs after his second to Mac Love in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom. He was not beaten that far on Derby day when later found to have lost a shoe so this looks a fine opportunity to resume winning ways.

The most interesting horse running at Doncaster is Plymouth Rock in the Crownhotel-bawtry.com Handicap.

Jeremy Noseda's colt exuded authority in his maiden victory at Windsor and ought to go a lot further than the ordinary handicappers who are lining up against him.