Tag Archive for: Chindit

Chindit in top form for potential swansong at Newmarket

The in-form Chindit will bid for a fantastic three-timer in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

Richard Hannon’s five-year-old has won at Group level in each of the four years he has been in training with the Everleigh handler and has thrived of late, adding Sandown’s Fortune Stakes to the Group Three Superior Mile he secured at Haydock earlier this month.

He will now attempt to end September on a real high in a race which could be his final outing before commencing stallion duties for owner Dr Cyrus Poonawalla in India.

Chindit winning the Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock
Chindit winning the Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock (Tim Goode/PA)

Hannon said: “I’ve been very happy with him at home and he’s just doing his routine canters and moving great – he’s arguably in the form of his life.

“He’s a gentleman and a pleasure to have around and I think this might well be his last run before he goes to India to stand as a stallion.

“He’s top-class and has been ultra-consistent and deserves his shot at a nice big race like this.”

Standing in Chindit’s way is Charlie Hills’ defending champion Mutasaabeq who made all in good style 12 months ago.

Mutasaabeq has a fine record on the Rowley Mile
Mutasaabeq has a fine record on the Rowley Mile (David Davies/PA)

Four of his six career victories have come on the Rowley Mile, but he has been without a win since scoring at the track in May and having somewhat disappointed in his most recent efforts, connections are hoping his love affair with the track can see him bounce back to his very best.

Hills said: “He seems to love Newmarket and the Rowley Mile. He has a great record there and it has always been the plan really to aim him at this race after York.

“He’s been good (since York). We were a bit disappointed and he didn’t finish off his race as well as he could have done. We’ve had no problems with him and his work has been good leading up to this race so we’ll see how we get on.

“There is not too many runners in it and I’m not sure what the tactics will be, but we’ve got a good record there.”

Maljoom returns from a long absence in the Joel Stakes
Maljoom returns from a long absence in the Joel Stakes (John Walton/PA)

William Haggas’ Maljoom counts a German 2000 Guineas triumph among three wins from his first four starts and could be classed as an unlucky loser when seeing his unbeaten record ended in the St James’s Palace Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot.

He now returns from 472 days off for this Group Two event, while John and Thady Gosden have a decent hand saddling both Epictetus and Sovereign Stakes scorer Mighty Ulysses, who had Sir Michael Stoute’s reopposing Regal Reality behind in third at Salisbury.

It could prove a profitable afternoon for the Clarehaven team who also hold all the aces in the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes with Running Lion and Sweet Memories.

The former was extremely progressive earlier in the campaign before seeing her momentum checked in both the Oaks at Epsom – when withdrawn at the start – and then the French equivalent when well held.

Running Lion winning at Newmarket earlier in the season
Running Lion winning at Newmarket earlier in the season (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

She was a keeping-on second following a break at Salisbury last month and is now upped in trip for a first try at 12 furlongs.

The Frankie Dettori-ridden Coppice and Atalanta Stakes second Queen For You dominate the market in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF Rosemary Stakes, another race in which the Gosden training team have leading claims.

Meanwhile the lightly-raced Lion’s Pride is also given the chance to confirm his potential in a competitive Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes which features last year’s St Leger runner-up New London and Lion’s Pride’s Windsor conqueror Candleford.



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Chindit makes class count in Sandown feature

Class came to the fore in the Chasemore Farm Fortune Stakes at Sandown, as Chindit held off Knight.

Richard Hannon’s stalwart had got back to winning ways last time out in a Group Three at Haydock, although that meant he was carrying a 5lb penalty in this Listed contest.

With the rain turning the ground testing, Chindit’s task was made harder, but Pat Dobbs could be spotted sitting motionless with two furlongs to run.

Also going well was the three-year-old Knight, sporting first-time cheekpieces, and it was those two who came through to take up the running from Raadobarg.

Chindit (7-2) gained a length and while Knight pushed him all the way to the line, there was a head between them at the line. Raadobarg held on for third with Breege, owned by the sponsors, in fourth. Eydon, off since finishing fourth in last year’s 2000 Guineas, was a non runner.

Hannon said: “I’m delighted with that. It is nice for Pat, as he has ridden him in every race apart from two. He doesn’t love that ground and he had a 5lb penalty today.

“He is one of the biggest allies our yard has had for years. He has run in all these good races and turns up on every occasion. He never runs a bad race. He is a pleasure to have.

“Michael Pescod, his old owner, is always the first man to ring me as he is delighted. He has been such a star for us over the years. Dr Poonawalla (owner) has purchased him to service his own mares. A Group One is not massively on the agenda, and he wants to enjoy the horse for what he is.

“He (Poonawalla) has come over from India for today and he said ‘Richard the horse will run come what may’ and I like a man like that who says what he wants. He has enjoyed the horse and he has got a huge amount of pleasure from him.

“A special mention also has to go to Sean Fox and Callum Richards. Sean has done wonders with the horse, but the two of them have done a fair bit of work with him.”

He added: “He is in the Joel Stakes and I’ve put him in the Challenge Stakes. I’d like to take him to America or Australia and run him on fast ground, but there is also the Hong Kong option as well. There are all kind of options for him.”

Poonawalla then plans to stand Chindit at stud in India.

Chasemore Farm did have better luck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes which they won with the Andrew Balding-trained newcomer Dambuster (17-2).

Balding said: “I’d hope he will stay a mile and a quarter in time, but not a huge amount further. I’d like to give him another run this year, but I don’t know where or when. He is a fine big horse and fingers crossed he will do well next year.”



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Chindit leads Hannon charge in Hungerford Stakes

Chindit sets the standard as he leads a three-pronged assault from Richard Hannon in the BetVictor Hungerford Stakes on Saturday.

The five-year-old has been a regular visitor to Newbury throughout his career, winning the Greenham over track and trip as a three-year-old and producing arguably a career best when chasing home Modern Games in the Lockinge Stakes earlier in the campaign.

Not disgraced at Royal Ascot when last seen, he now drops back to seven furlongs as he joins stablemates Mammas Girl and Royal meeting scorer Witch Hunter in the line-up for the Group Two contest.

“He’s in very good form and only had three races this year,” said Hannon.

“He probably ran the race of his life in the Lockinge in May and we left the Sussex Stakes alone because of the ground.

“He’s won Group races at two, three and four and is a pleasure to have around. He’s in super order and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”

Charlie Fellowes’ Marbaan bounced back to something near his best when third in the Lennox Stakes and is another who will prefer conditions to remain dry, while similar applies to Mostabshir who has campaigned exclusively at a mile but now steps back in distance.

John and Thady Gosden’s three-year-old was an impressive winner at York earlier in the season, but has found life tough when handed stiff assignments since and blinkers are now reached for in an attempt to see him replicate the form he shows at home on the racecourse.

“He’s an interesting horse and a horse who works very well at home and shows plenty of ability there,” explained Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.

“I’m not quite sure he has fulfilled his potential so far on the racecourse. He won very well at York obviously earlier in the year and on his day he’s capable of putting up a good performance, but he really needs to step up to the plate now.

“He’s been a bit immature, but like everything out of his mare, hopefully he is only going to get better as he gets older.

“I would just like to see him run well on Saturday. He’s capable and has certainly got the ability, so hopefully he can start to put it together now and fulfil his potential.”

Britannia Stakes second New Endeavour (Roger Varian) has some smart form at this distance and was not disgraced behind Nostrum at Newmarket at Newmarket most recently, while Charlie Hills’ Pogo arrives on the pack of a third in the Criterion and has often showed his best form at this distance.

Tom Dascombe’s Misty Grey and Spanish raider Rodaballo complete the field.



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Hannon banking on drop in trip to work in Chindit’s favour

Richard Hannon expects Chindit to thrive for dropping back to seven furlongs in Saturday’s BetVictor Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

The five-year-old has had three starts over a mile so far this term, winning the Paradise Stakes at Ascot before pushing Modern Games close when second in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at the Berkshire venue in May.

A subsequent spin in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot ended in disappointment and Hannon took him out of the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on account of the testing conditions earlier this month.

The handler is anticipating better ground at Newbury though, and is backing the son of Wootton Bassett to put last year’s eighth place in the race well behind him.

Hannon said: “He’s only had three races this year, this will be the first for his new owner (Villoo Poonawalla Greenfield Farms).

“I’m delighted with the form he is in – he loves Newbury, he’s won the Greenham and finished second in the Lockinge. It looks like coming back to seven furlongs will be ideal for him and hopefully he has an excellent chance.

“He worked very well on the grass on Sunday. The forecast is looking dry leading into the weekend so we are hopeful it will be quick ground.”

Charlie Fellowes is also keeping an eye on the weather as he seeks decent ground for his challenger Marbaan.

The three-year-old bounced back to from when coming home third in the Lennox Stakes over this seven-furlong trip at Goodwood, with Fellowes giving him extra credit as the good to soft ground did not play to the colt’s strengths.

He said: “He ran a cracker at Goodwood in a strong race, the first two horses are clearly Group One horses. We decided to ride him with a bit of patience and he finished well on ground that was probably softer than ideal.

“I think the seven furlongs at Newbury will suit him, we are on weather watch though, I wouldn’t want the ground to be getting too soft. He is definitely better on better ground.

“He looks a picture and is in really good order, his Goodwood run has done him the world of good and I would think he would be very competitive if conditions are in his favour.”



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Chindit to get a second bite at Lockinge hero Modern Games

Chindit and Berkshire Shadow are likely to renew rivalry with Modern Games at Royal Ascot next month after chasing home the dual Breeders’ Cup winner in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The Richard Hannon-trained Chindit does not yet have a Group One victory on his CV, but it has not been due to a lack of effort.

Last season the son of Wootton Bassett had to chase the shadow of the brilliant Baaeed on a couple of occasions, but did win the Group Two Summer Mile at Ascot and made a successful start to the new campaign in the Paradise Stakes at the same track earlier this month.

Just for a brief moment it looked like the 22-1 shot might cause an upset after striking the front in the Lockinge, but he ultimately had no answer to the Modern Games’ potent finishing kick, with Chindit attempting to bite the winner as he passed by.

Hannon said: “I’m delighted with him. He travelled great and was a happy horse. He has improved physically. He has a middle to him now, which he didn’t have earlier in his career.

“There is one of these coming his way. He goes to the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

Another horse to outrun his odds was Andrew Balding’s Berkshire Shadow.

The grey has largely struggled to make an impact in Pattern company since his memorable success in the Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting two years go, but returned for another stab at Group One honours following a couple of confidence-boosting wins on the all-weather.

Those victories appear to have reignited the fire as he was beaten just two and a half lengths as a 33-1 shot, leading Balding to also target a rematch with the winner in the Queen Anne.

Berkshire Shadow winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot
Berkshire Shadow winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

He said: “He’s a grand horse. He ran very well in the 2000 Guineas last year. His form tailed off a bit, but he’s a different horse this year.

“I think he will win us a decent race, because he really likes fast ground. Yesterday’s rain wasn’t that helpful for him.

“He’ll go for the Queen Anne and then we can decide where we go down the road after that.”

My Prospero, not seen since finishing a close-up third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, is also bound for the Royal meeting – but he will revert to a mile and a quarter for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes instead of sticking to the mile.

His trainer, William Haggas said: “He needs further. He was going to get stuffed and then he stayed on again.

“It was a good run. He is just not quick enough for these, but he should come on for that.

“He will be a player in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. That will just do him good.”



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Chindit strikes first time out again to land Paradise Stakes

Chindit won first time out for the fourth successive year when making nearly all the running in the Howden Bloodstock Paradise Stakes at Ascot.

Sent off the 5-2 joint-favourite with his Richard Hannon-trained stablemate Lusail, his task was made significantly easier by the morning withdrawal of William Haggas’ Champion Stakes third My Prospero with a dirty scope.

Chindit could only beat those put in front of him, however, and he once again proved how well he goes fresh with a dominant display under Pat Dobbs.

Dobbs was keen to dictate matters and one by one his opponents came off the bridle and once Raadobarg came under pressure Chindit began to pull clear.

The field began to close inside the final 100 yards and it was David Simcock’s lightly-raced Cash who got to within three-quarters of a length at the line but the result was never in doubt.

Hannon said: “That’s the fourth year in a row he’s won and he’s much more relaxed.

“He would have preferred to get a lead but he had his own way in front.

“I think he will go for the Lockinge next, then the Queen Anne and maybe Australia at the end of the year.

“He’s an extremely reliable and very sound horse, and will make an extremely good stallion.

“There are a good few races down there (in Australia) as well as races like the Shadwell Mile round two bends in the US.”

Maximum Impact lived up to the huge promise of his debut win and provided Alice Haynes with a first Ascot winner in the process when running out a convincing winner of the Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial EBF Conditions Stakes.

A 12-length winner on heavy ground at Leicester, he proved he can handle a much quicker surface on this occasion as the Havana Grey colt bounded clear on good ground.

It was the two previous winners who dominated throughout, with Hollie Doyle on Archie Watson’s Action Point smartly away and bagging the rail.

Maximum Impact takes in his surroundings
Maximum Impact takes in his surroundings (PA)

With a furlong to run, Action Point appeared to be going marginally the better but when Kevin Stott got into the drive position on Maximum Impact he soon began to assert, with the evens favourite coming home two and a quarter lengths to the good. The Line made a pleasing debut in third.

The winner was cut to 16-1 from 25s for the five-furlong Norfolk Stakes by Coral, but Haynes may be tempted to step him up to six furlongs for the Coventry Stakes.

Haynes said: “It’s the first battle he’s had, but he hit the line strongly. He has a very relaxed attitude and came back in with his ears pricked.

“The owners have lots of two-year-olds but this one will enjoy the step up to six furlongs. He has a great brain and we had to come here to test him.

“There’s a race at Sandown (National Stakes) but I think we will probably wait and come back here.”

Chasing Aphrodite streaks clear under Pierre-Louis Jamin
Chasing Aphrodite streaks clear under Pierre-Louis Jamin (David Davies/PA)

Roger Varian’s Yaanaas was all the rage ahead of the Howden Manny Mercer Apprentice Handicap following two wins on the all-weather.

He cruised to the front a furlong out under Aidan Keeley but the challengers were mounting on his inside, the strongest of which was Chasing Aphrodite (8-1).

Having his first run since wind surgery, Harry Eustace’s four-year-old came with a perfectly-timed challenge under Pierre-Louis Jamin to win by a length and a half from the favourite.

Jamin said: “The sun and wind are having an impact on the ground, but my main concern was to get him some cover which would help him get his head down and settle.

“He’s definitely benefitted from a wind operation since his last run.”

Queen For You was an eyecatching winner on debut
Queen For You was an eyecatching winner on debut (David Davies/PA)

John and Thady Gosden’s Queen For You (4-1) made a very impressive winning debut against rivals with experience in the Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Beautifully bred as a daughter of Kingman out of Coronation Stakes winner Fallen For You, she was a comfortable two-length winner under Rab Havlin.

Thady Gosden said: “She’d been going nicely at home and her mother won the Coronation Stakes while Kingman was a champion miler.

“So yes, we would take a look at the Coronation Stakes. It’s five weeks away but another run would benefit her.”



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