Richard Hannon never shirks a challenge and runs both Dick Turpin and Dubawi Gold against hotpot Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by Qipco at Ascot today.
Richard Hughes had chosen to ride Dick Turpin but having relinquished his licence in protest over the new whip rules, Christophe Soumillon, who won a Group One in Italy on him last time out, maintains the partnership.
Johnny Murtagh rides Dubawi Gold, who will be kept on the go after this with a trip in Hong Kong in the pipeline.
"It is going to be tough and we have three very good horses in front of us in the betting, but 25-1 is an insult to Dick Turpin, who has proved a star for us over the last three seasons," Hannon told his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.
"He showed plenty of guts to get up to win his second Group One in Italy last time, and he has never moved better than he has done recently.
"Hughesie was delighted with him on Tuesday morning and he looks great so, while I am not saying we will beat Frankel, he is well capable of getting a slice of the action."
He added: "Dubawi Gold will be going for the big mile race in Hong Kong in December, so this is a stepping-stone.
"Neither he nor Dick Turpin want the ground too fast, but Hughesie is adamant it rode slow at the last meeting, and he should be fine. He has been placed in two Guineas and is a good horse."
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