from the hannon yard

from the hannon Yard Ground perfect for Dick Turpin at York Win or lose it seems that we did the right thing in opting out of Deauville on Sunday with Dick Turpin, who heads to York on Tuesday in great form for his first attempt beyond a mile in the G1 Juddmonte International. Richard Hannon said:"The way things panned out in France we would probably have pulled him out of that Group 2 anyway as the ground came up very soft, and it would be the wrong place to have tested his stamina. "In contrast, the ground at York looks like being perfect. Dick Turpin enjoys a bit of cut, and they have had 12.4mm of rain at the Knavesmire since Thursday, which has removed any firm bits from the going report, and, with no more than 2.5mm forecast to fall between now and big-race time, there should be no worries about the ground. "It was very sporting of John Manley to stump up the £50,000 to supplement Dick Turpin. He takes the view that with £370,000 in the kitty this year now is the time to have a go, and if we are going to dip our toes in the water at a mile and a quarter it might as well be for a Group 1. "Obviously, there are doubts about him staying on pedigree, but Hughesie reckons that they were beaten for speed in the French 2000 Guineas and that since then he has started to think that Dick Turpin might get a bit further. The colt was very impressive at Chantilly, but he will be ridden more conservatively up at York - there is no point in Hughesie committing him three furlongs out and setting it up for the others, and if he finishes in the first three we are in profit. "However, if Dick Turpin does stay it will increase our options, and we might well have a stab at the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, and if he doesn't we can always revert back to a mile. The good thing is that he stays in training next year, so we have plenty of time to make a plan. "Our other York runners on the first day are Jaahiz and Bilko Pak, both of whom run in the nursery. They found five furlongs too sharp in the Super Sprint at Newbury last time and will appreciate stepping back up in trip."