Ivawood To Continue Unbeaten Streak

Thursday’s big juvenile race is the Group 2 Richmond Stakes (2.35) over 6f, where Richard Hannon will be looking to continue his yard’s fine record in the race, winning it four times in the last six years.

Richard Hannon

Hannon will look to the unbeaten Ivawood this time around, who is 2-2 following an impressive Group 2 victory in the July Stakes at Newmarket several weeks ago…

…(6f, good to firm), where this colt clocked a decent time in beating Jungle Cat by almost 3l. The yard seem to be following a trusted path with this colt, as the Hannon team also won the 2010 July Stakes with Libranno, who followed-up here in the Richmond.

In time, Ivawood will eventually get further and could be a 2,000 Guineas contender, but the speed he has shown to date will put him in good stead for the sharp 6f that awaits at Goodwood.

Hannon also has Sixty entered, who has more to prove having won only a 6f maiden at Salisbury last month (good to firm), but the time on the clock was decent and his front-running manner could make him interesting if grabbing the lead. On formlines, however, he was beaten 2l by Jungle Cat on his debut, who he faces again, and who was subsequently well beaten by Ivawood.

But, let’s not forget Brian Meehan’s Fox Trotter, especially as his trainer won this race twice previously. Fox Trotter may need to step up considerably here having won only a maiden last time (6f, good), but could be anything, and is certainly capable of more.

Peter Chapple-Hyam has also won this twice and runs the more experienced Ahlan Emarati, who was placed in two Group 2’s the last twice. The second of those was when beaten 2l by Kool Kompany at the Curragh (6f, good to firm), who was a subsequent Group 2 winner in France. Such formlines suggests Ahlan Emarati could be excellent each-way value.

Trends Summary
Of the last 18 Richmond Stakes winners…

All 18 ran during the last two months – 15 in the last month. Ten arrived via Newbury or Newmarket.
17 won a race.
16 had a maximum of just three outings.
14 made the top three last time.
14 ran over 6f last time.
Richard Hannon has trained four winners, while Peter Chapple-Hyam, John Gosden, Brian Meehan and Mark Johnston all had two apiece.

Mark Johnston is another trainer who knows what it takes to win this race, but it’s hard to see how Jungle Cat will reverse form with Ivawood, while stablemate, Surewecan, has improved with each outing and takes a big first step into Pattern company.

Of the remainder, Mick Channon’s Moonraker, is a maiden winner who hasn’t been seen for 82 days, which is a negative as each of the last 18 winners of this race ran during the last two months, while Clive Cox’s, Louie De Palam, is also unbeaten in two races, but needs more in this company following a nursery win three weeks ago (6f, good to firm).

Recommended Bets
This year’s renewal of the Richmond seems to revolve around Richard Hannon, who was spoilt for options at the five-day stage. Therefore, it seems a tip in itself that stable jockey, Richard Hughes, has opted for the highly-promising Ivawood.