Considering Garrick's post under sports, it might be worth taking a bit 16/1 ante post with a couple of doubles onto this "superstar"?
Canford Cliffs saunters to Coventry Stakes success
Report: Royal Ascot, Tuesday
Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 6f, 2yo
CANFORD CLIFFS proved he is the real deal with a nonchalant six-length success in the Coventry Stakes at Ascot on Tuesday.
William Hill make the winner 8-1 favourite for the 2,000 Guineas. Coral were slightly less impressed, going "16-1" for the colts' Classic.
Canford Cliffs's jockey Richard Hughes had oozed confidence before the off, claiming the son of Tagula was his best ride of the week, and how right he was.
The Richard Hannon-trained runner broke smartly and raced at the head of the field with No Hubris and Red Jazz.
But the contrast between Canford Cliffs and the rest of the field was marked and, while Hughes sat pretty on top of the unbeaten colt, the other horses were under strong pressure.
Red Jazz, racing over 6f for the first time, started to weaken approaching the final furlong, as did No Hubris, and at this point Canford Cliffs asserted.
He immediately raced clear to winas the 7-4 favourite for the Heffer Syndicate and give his trainer and jockey a double on the day after landing the Queen Anne with Paco Boy.
Xtension, outpaced early, stayed on strongly to be second at 20-1 for trainer Clive Cox and jockey Adam Kirby while Rakaan was third at 28-1.
Hannon said: "I love this horse. He was a very good looking horse at the sales and had a lot of character. He is the sort of horse you would look at and think 'if I could afford him I'd have him'.
"He's such a laid-back character. Richard rode him work one morning and said he was a great horse.
"He's very relaxed at home and walks down to the canters like an old horse.
"It would be hard to find a two-year-old I've had as good as him. It was a long time ago to Rock City.
"We might look at something like the July Stakes and we can't forget the Doncaster Sales race, but we'll have to think about it. This horse wants looking after, he could be next year's horse."
Hughes added: "I rode him a few canters and I liked him a lot. I thought he would be ready in July, he was a bit leggy and a bit long.
"I gave him a half-spin one morning and I've never ridden anything like him in my life. I told the boss [Hannon] we had something serious here.
"He went ten lengths up on two others and the lads got a rollicking. They said they couldn't lay up with him. It was an unbelievable bit of work.
"This horse shouldn't have won - I've never known a horse to run away with me and win a race.
"He was a little bit lit up going to the start. It was only his second run. He was a little bit keen, he jumped really quick and was a bit keen again when the others came upsides me as he does all his work in behind.
"I've never known a horse pull that hard and win a race. He's the best I've ridden by far. He's a freak.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Topic Author
