Mosse the man for Es Que Love
Last Updated: 15/08/14 6:25pm
View from connections ahead of Saturday's Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Adam Kirby's loss is Gerald Mosse's gain on Saturday as the veteran French pilot takes over on Es Que Love in the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Clive Cox moved the snap up the services of the globetrotting jockey as Kirby is suspended as a result of his use of the whip aboard the winner last time out.
Es Que Love has been in great form this season since joining from Mark Johnston and gained the big win his consistent efforts deserved when holding on in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
He has a 2lb penalty for that success and Cox, who has won two of the last five renewals of the Hungerford, would not want to see any more rain at Newbury after a deluge hit the track on Thursday.
"It was great to win a Group Two with him. He's got a 2lb penalty here. Sadly Adam Kirby's banned, but we're very pleased to have the services of Gerald Mosse," said Cox.
"We've won it with Balthazaar's Gift and Lethal Force, so this has been a lucky race for us.
"He's a great traveller in a race and Adam (Kirby) rode him super at Goodwood, so we just hope the heavy showers stay away from Newbury.
"He ran very well there (at Newbury) in the Hackwood over six furlongs and we learnt a bit more about him that day so we were able to employ more accurate tactics down at Goodwood.
"He's in good form and I'm very happy with him. He's a star and a joy to deal with."
Chil The Kite has bounced back to form for Hughie Morrison after an unsuccessful stint in Dubai.
He won a good pot at Newbury and then finished second under a welter burden in the Royal Hunt Cup.
Jockey George Baker, while acknowledging a step up in class, feels it is well worth a shot.
"It was a great run the last time and hopefully with the step in grade out of handicap company he'll give a good account of himself," Baker told At The Races.
"For whatever reason he never settled into the Dubai way. He was well-behaved, but the style of racing, or whatever, didn't suit him.
"Since he's come back, he's thrived. He's got plenty of confidence being dropped back into handicap company. He needs to step up but I think he's hopefully a horse going the right way again.
"He'll have to be at the top of his game, but he warrants a place in the field, for sure."
Richard Hannon runs two in a race his father last won with the brilliant Paco Boy in 2008.Richard Hughes is on Professor while James Doyle rides Producer, who only ran at Salisbury on Thursday when second to Captain Cat in the Sovereign Stakes over a mile."Producer is so tough that, though he only ran two days ago at Salisbury, finishing second to Captain Cat, we might well run him again in the Group Two Hungerford Stakes, though Hughesie rides Professor, another who would benefit from improvement in the ground. He was brave at Haydock last time, overcoming ground that did not really suit him, and he, too, is in good nick," said Hannon on www.richardhannoonracing.co.uk.