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TIP OF THE HAAT
Jamie Spencer gets the call up on huge ride with trainer insisting ‘his style will suit’
Handler would love to beat the Irish in their own backyard
RICHARD HANNON has called on an old ally to be part of his Irish 2,000 Guineas raiding party.
Jamie Spencer will ride Haatem in Saturday’s Curragh Classic — with stablemate Rosallion also still on course for the Group 1.
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Hannon’s pair finished second and third to Notable Speech in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.
Rosallion, the runner-up in that, is 9-4 favourite while Haatem — who finished under two lengths away in third — is a 6-1 chance.
Hannon said: “Jamie is set to ride Haatem while Sean Levey, of course, will be on Rosallion.
“Jamie has got a lot of experience riding in Ireland and his style will suit Haatem.”
Spencer won the Irish 2,000 with Phoenix Of Spain in 2019 and Hannon’s old man won it back in 2010 with superstar Canford Cliffs.
Hannon said: “I’d love to do what dad did and go over there and beat the Irish boys in their own back yard.
“Haatem is very tough and I think the track will suit him - but I think it will suit both of my horses.
“Haatem is turning into a very good horse and I wouldn’t say he is exposed.
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“What I would say is he is showing he is a genuine Group race horse.
“It is brilliant to be going into the race with two great chances as these Classic horses don’t come along every year. I’d hope we can win one with either Haatem or Rosallion.
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“We might well have a look at going a mile and a quarter one day with Haatem. He relaxes well and he gives himself every chance of getting further.”
Hannon, of course, is on record as saying Rosallion is the BEST he has trained.
He said: “I’ve been absolutely delighted with Rosallion since his run at Newmarket. He did a nice bit of work at the weekend and he looks great.
“I think this looks like a big opportunity for him on the way to Royal Ascot.
“The ground looks like it will be quickish so we are going to take our chance and try and make him a Classic winner.
“There is only one way to get match fit and that is to play matches.
“He might have been a little rusty at Newmarket, but he should improve for that and hopefully he will show that on Saturday.
“He will have no problem racing in both Guineas and at Royal Ascot as he has got such a good constitution.
“He is a strong lad and he is well able to do that.”
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