Chindit stays unbeaten with Ascot Listed victory

Hannon aiming high after emphatic success in Pat Eddery Stakes.

Richard Hannon expects Chindit to be plying his trade at the top level before the season is out, after maintaining his unbeaten record with an authoritative display in the BetfredTV Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot.

A winner on his racecourse debut at Doncaster three weeks ago, the Wootton Bassett colt was a 15-2 chance to follow up in what appeared a strong renewal of a seven-furlong Listed event formerly known as the Winkfield Stakes.

Ridden with restraint by Pad Dobbs for much of the race, Chindit began to make smooth headway racing inside the final two furlongs and quickened smartly when a gap opened up between Cobh and 3-1 favourite Naval Crown.

The further Hannon’s youngster went the better he looked, and he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post a length and three-quarters to the good, with Cobh beating Naval Crown to the runner-up spot.

Hannon said: “He won well first time – and generally if ours win first time, they are very good.

“He worked very well during the week, and I thought he was very impressive. He looked like he’ll get a mile no problem, and won with authority.

“I had him in the Vintage (at Goodwood next week) and I nearly thought of going there, but then this morning my dad said ‘we should maybe have just gone for a novice’, but that achieves nothing.”

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “There are loads of options, but we’ll have to go big, so to speak. It will be seven furlongs or a mile.

“He’s come out of nowhere, because he wasn’t flashy at home. Early on, I thought he might have come to hand sooner, but we’ve taken our time – and he’s felt the benefit.

“Every time he’s done a piece of work, he’s taken a step forward. He’s been working with Etonian, so when he went and did what he did the other day (won easily on debut at Sandown), I was very confident.

“He’ll be in the Dewhurst, all those sorts of races.”

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Richard Hannon King George Festival Pat Dobbs

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