English/Ire
Hannon and co relishing Queen Anne rematch
Rosallion, Dancing Gemini and Notable Speech all set to reoppose at Royal Ascot.
Richard Hannon, Roger Teal and Charlie Appleby are all looking forward to taking on the John and Thady Gosden-trained Lead Artist once more, with the trio of beaten horses all expected to reoppose in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Having his first start since running out a commanding winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last June, Rosallion travelled into the contest nicely before struggling to match the match-fit pair of Leading Artist and Dancing Gemini in the closing stages.
Whilst some might have been slightly disappointed by the reappearance of the star miler on his return, Hannon was evidently pleased with his son of Blue Point, who now looks set to head back to the scene of his finest hour for a mouthwatering four-way rematch.
"He's an extremely good horse and will strip a lot fitter next time and will take a lot of beating at Ascot. I'm looking forward to Ascot," said Hannon.
"I think for all big owners and trainers, all roads lead to Ascot and especially with this horse it is almost impossible to get him to run his best race on his first race.
"He's proved he's the horse he was last year and almost hit the front there and he will improve for it. He's a year older now but he did take a bit (of getting ready) last year and that may have just cost us a Guineas.
"But I was pleased with that run, it boils down to match fitness and I have no doubt he will run very well at Ascot.
"They are all very good horses and of course I'm disappointed not to win but I'm sure in a couple of hours I will be happy he has actually run a really good race.
"He travelled into the race lovely and Sean (Levey, jockey on Rosallion) and William (Buick on Notable Speech) are probably both in the same boat in thinking that their horses will improve massively and they are both proven Group 1 winners."
One spot behind Rosallion was Notable Speech, with Charlie Appleby also now looking forward to the Queen Anne with his contender, who famously denied Hannon's charge when claiming the 2000 Guineas last season.
Appleby said: "I'm delighted, and William said he showed all his old enthusiasm. He's travelled and you can see from Will's body language he's holding on to him and tracking the horse he felt was the right horse to go and attack.
"He just got tired in the last 200 yards, but it will put him spot on for Ascot."
Whilst both Rosallion and Notable Speech have over a length to find with Lead Artist at the Royal meeting, Dancing Gemini will head to Ascot with only a neck deficit to turn.
Winning handler John Gosden was quick start his prayers for quick ground at Ascot, but Roger Teal will be hoping for some cut in the ground for his gallant runner-up Dancing Gemini, who went down on his sword on the quickest ground he has encountered to date at Newbury.
Teal said: "He's run a cracker, but that ground was rattling fast. I asked the clerk of the course on Friday if he'd put a bit of water on it Friday, but he wasn't playing ball.
"That's quicker ground than he's ever been on, but we've only gone down a neck. We don't duck and dive and will go to Ascot next. He went down on his sword and is a Group 1 winner waiting to happen.
"He had an awkward draw on the flank there, so Ryan had to take him back to get a bit of cover, he said he was a little further back than he wanted to be but what else do you do when you're stuck out there?
"He hasn't let us down. He'll be a Group 1 winner on his day."
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