2011 result

racing_news/

Battling Alhebayeb Takes July Stakes
12/07/12

1 Alhebayeb 9/2
2 Lewisham 25/1
3 Ahern 9/4
NR: Birdman (IRE), Sir Prancealot (IRE)
7 ran Distances: nk, shd, 2¼l
TIME 1m 14.39s (slow by 4.19s)

Jockey Paul Hanagan and trainer Richard Hannon registered their first Group-race success for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum as Alhebayeb landed the TNT July Stakes.

The Nottingham maiden winner was beaten in to second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and relished the step up to six furlongs.

The 9/2 chance was strongly pressed close home but had enough in reserve to repel Lewisham by a neck.

Hannon is training horses for Hamdam Al Maktoum for the first time this year and has a total of 11 in his care, while Hanagan is in his first year as first jockey to the owner.

Hannon’s son and assistant Richard junior said: “He had come on from Ascot, where he was slowly away and flew home.

“He likes the soft ground and we thought he would as his sire (Dark Angel) loved soft and won the Middle Park on it.

“Paul said he will get seven furlongs so the Dewhurst Stakes is an option, as is the Gimcrack and the Middle Park.

“He is our first Group winner for Sheikh Hamdan and I am very pleased for the owner. It is our first year training for him and he sent us 11 horses, of which we still have another four or five left to run. He is probably the best of them all.”

Hanagan added: “I am delighted (to ride a Group winner for Sheikh Hamdan). It is what is it all about and I hope we will go from strength to strength.

“Sheikh Hamdan is a great man for patience and there is no rush, which gives us time to do our job and try and get things right on the big day. The Hannons are doing really well with his horses and it’s a great privilege to go and ride out there - Richard Hughes, Richard snr and Richard jnr have all been fantastic and I am delighted for them.

“The horse was headed but battled back today and I thought he should have won at Royal Ascot where he was green and missed the kick. It then turned out he was drawn on the wrong side and was away from the action but he came home very well.

“I think he will end up at seven furlongs and that will work ideal.”

TNT July Stakes (Group 2)
£60,000 added, 2yo only, 6f, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Soft

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Alhebayeb R Hannon	P Hanagan 8st 12lbs	9 - 2 Winner
2	Lewisham N Quinlan	J Doyle 8st 12lbs	25 - 1 Neck
3	Ahern T D Barron	J P Spencer 8st 12lbs	9 - 4 Short Head
4	Gale Force Ten A P O'Brien	R L Moore 8st 12lbs	15 - 8 2 1/4 lengths
5	Chilworth Icon M R Channon	M Harley 8st 12lbs	9 - 1 Nose
6	Smoothtalkinrascal B J Meehan	S W Kelly 8st 12lbs	10 - 1 3/4 length
7	Heavy Metal M Johnston	J Fanning 8st 12lbs	16 - 1 1 1/4 length
NonRunner	Birdman D M Simcock	Martin Lane 8st 12lbs	-
NonRunner	Sir Prancealot R Hannon	R Hughes 8st 12lbs	-

ALHEBAYEB TOPS 40MPH IN TNT JULY STAKES SUCCESS

Alhebayeb passed the 40mph mark as he sped to success in the TNT July Stakes at Newmarket this afternoon.

The rain-softened ground failed to dent his blistering turn of foot as he triumphed in the Group Two by a neck from Lewisham.

He recorded a fastest sectional time of 11.09s between 2f and 1f from home, achieving a top speed of 40.59mph.

TurfTrax managing director Mike Maher said, ‘The Sectional Timing and Tracking System data shows that the winner took up the running from the three-furlong pole and was consistently quickest over the following quarter of a mile. That was effectively where he stamped his authority on the race.

"He showed an exceptional turn of foot in the soft ground before putting in a strong finish."

Alhebayeb also achieved the joint quickest final furlong timing of 12.81 - a figure that was matched by the fast-closing Ahern.

THE RIGHT HORSE FOR QUINLAN

Noel Quinlan’s Lewisham delighted his handler when second in the Group Two TNT July Stakes. “He’s a right horse this one.” said Quinlan “I think he should have won his maiden at Doncaster last time out but he was ridden all wrong. In fact I think he should have won on his first run. For me he could have been an Royal Ascot horse, but I decided to come here as there would be less runners. As for the future he will either be sold privately if somebody comes with the right offer or if he is still with me we will go for the Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood. He will handle anything other than firm ground.”

David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, said of third Ahern: “We couldn’t really blame the ground as he’s a big strong horse, just blame greenness. Jamie (Spencer) got off him and said he is just still learning. When he gave him a smack he took off but had nothing in front of him to go at and just pulled up a bit. He’s a proper horse and I think we will probably go for the Richmond at Goodwood next.”