Canford Cliffs, currently 5-1 second favourite with the sponsors for the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas, is set to make his eagerly-awaited seasonal debut in the Bathwick Tyres Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Trainer Richard Hannon confirmed today the colt will go for the Group Three contest over seven furlongs after being pleased with his workout alongside two smart stablemates yesterday.
"Canford Cliffs was ridden by Richard Hughes, and he came up with Paco Boy and Soul City, both of whom are good older horses, so it was a very satisfactory piece of work, which will have put him spot-on for Newbury," he told www.richardhannonracing.tv.
The colt lost his 100% record when finishing third to Arcano in the Prix Morny at Deauville in August.
"He has been off since Deauville last August, so will obviously improve for the run, but after such a long absence it would not be ideal going for the Guineas without a dress-rehearsal, and Newbury, being just down the road, fits the bill perfectly," Hannon said.
"He has filled out since last year and strengthened, and we are very pleased with him."
Hannon also plans to run Dick Turpin, a 66-1 with Stan James for the 2000 Guineas, in the Greenham after the Richmond Stakes and Tatteralls Ireland Sales Stakes victor had a spin on Sunday.
"In a perfect world, we would keep him apart from Canford Cliffs, but both are Group Two winners and would consequently incur a 3lb penalty for the Craven at Newmarket on Thursday, so we have no option but to run both horses at Newbury," Hannon added.
