'Superhuman' Toronado delivers at Ascot

Richard Hannon admitted to a palpable sense of relief after Toronado lived up to every possible expectation in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

'Superhuman' Toronado delivers at Ascot

Richard Hannon admitted to a palpable sense of relief after Toronado lived up to every possible expectation in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Despite having not seen a racecourse for 300 days, much was demanded of the High Chaparral colt, whose connections could hardly have been more ebullient in the build-up to the meeting’s curtain-raiser.

Be that as it may, the burden of expectation must have been oppressive for the Wiltshire handler, who was having his first Royal runner after his father, Richard Hannon snr, passed on the baton to become his son’s assistant.

The Hannons need not have worried. Toronado was outstanding.

“That’s taken the pressure off massively,” said Hannon.

“It’s lovely to get the meeting off to a start like that.

“The car’s parked outside and I might go now and leave the rest of it up to my assistant.”

It will have become apparent to Hannon from an early stage of the Queen Anne that Richard Hughes’ companion was in a most combative frame of mind.

The 4-5 favourite nonchalantly tracked pacemaker Mull Of Killough and a clutch of other horses from some way off the pace, and did not show any discernible traits of keenness which have occasionally blotted an otherwise fine copybook.

French challenger Anodin was the first of the protagonists to make a decisive move a furlong and a half from home, at which stage he was joined in unison by eventual runner-up Verrazano.

The landscape of the Group One soon shifted markedly, though, as Toronado ghosted clear on the outside of that duo, stretching three-quarters of a length clear without Hughes ever having to get too serious in the saddle.

Next up for the Al Shaqab Racing-owned four-year-old is an attempt at winning back-to-back renewals of the Sussex Stakes on July 30.

Worryingly for his rivals at Goodwood, Hannon believes Toronado will have made even more progress by next month.

He said: “I thought he blew up 100 yards towards the line, but he got the job done well.

“He will have needed that run and will improve a fair bit for it.

“We’ll stick to a mile with him. The Sussex Stakes is highly likely, there’s also the Marois, but Olympic Glory will probably run in that, and then later there’s the QEII.

“He’s always looked superhuman. He’s a gorgeous-looking horse.”

Verrazano, an import from the United States, appears set for a step up in trip.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with him. That was a big run, I’d say an improvement from the Lockinge.

“He got warm, but he got warm before the Lockinge, didn’t he? I don’t think it bothers him.

“He kept going well and will get a bit further so all those races like the Eclipse, Juddmonte and Irish Champion are open to him.”

Anodin could renew rivalry with Toronado at Goodwood, with trainer Freddy Head saying: “We’ll see how he is nearer the time.

“He just lack a bit of acceleration, but he is a good horse nonetheless.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Age Walsh's biggest fear for Any Second Now ahead of Irish Grand National  Age Walsh's biggest fear for Any Second Now ahead of Irish Grand National 
Cobden 'can't wait' to ride Noble Yeats in Grand National Cobden 'can't wait' to ride Noble Yeats in Grand National
Alex Ferguson chases more glory as Griezmann aims to Hook winner Alex Ferguson chases more glory as Griezmann aims to Hook winner
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited