Runners from three meetings yesterday left Richard Hannon with an across the card treble. The first of those came from Nottingham where the consistent DOTTED SWISS won with a bit in hand in the last race under Sean Levey. The daughter of Swiss Spirit was coming off the back of a couple of encouraging efforts on the all-weather and made the transition back to turf in good style. ‘She is a filly we have always liked and she did that well today. The ground was pretty dead but she was tough and proved her fitness to take the Handicap event. She will continue now on the turf and try and see if she can win a few more.’
The other two came from Kempton in the evening with the unbeaten IT’S THE ONLY WAY. The son of Lilbourne Lad was having just his second start having won at Brighton a week before and never looked like getting beat. He was always to the fore and with a little encouragement from Tom in the closing stages he put the race to bed in emphatic style. ‘I was expecting him to run very well last week and he managed to overcome greenness to win with a bit in hand. He had a penalty today and was giving weight away all around but he could not have won any easier. He is a very likeable type with a good attitude and I can see him running a few big races through the year.’
The final winner came in the 8:15 giving Tom a double and the stable a one-two. BALLETOMANE who ran a couple of nice races last year without winning won with plenty in hand on his handicap debut. He was always to the fore and without fully extending won nicely up to the line. ‘He has done really well over the winter and looks a horse we should have some fun with. I will need to start making plans for him towards the middle of the year.’
Today's action comes from four meetings with three two year olds making an appearance. The first of those is SPELL at Ascot taking on an odds on shot of Aidan O’Brien. ‘She is a nice horse who will improve for the experience. She has worked well and could run a nice race.’