22nd May 2010
Canford Cliffs proved Richard Hannon's high opinion of him to be spot on after he cruised to victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
The Tagula colt was narrowly beaten on his reappearance behind stablemate and subsequent English and French 2,000 Guineas runner-up Dick Turpin.
He finished just behind the same horse at Newmarket but Hannon expected last year's impressive Coventry Stakes winner to prove himself the better of the pair at the Curragh, and so it proved.
Richard Hughes rode the colt with plenty of confidence as pacemaker Encompassing ensured a strong gallop.
Newmarket fourth Xtension was the first to commit two furlongs out but once Hughes had extricated the British raider it was a question of whether Canford Cliffs would accelerate away.
He did, without the need for strong handling from Hughes, who nudged the colt clear in the closing stages to win in the style of a very good horse, crossing the line three lengths ahead of Free Judgement (25/1), with the Aidan O'Brien-trained outsider Viscount Nelson (20/1) third.
Disappointment of the race was O'Brien's Steinbeck, who tracked the eventual winner throughout the race but could not match his acceleration when it mattered most, staying on for fourth.
The St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot is next on the agenda for the winner, according to the trainer's son anssistant Richard Jnr.
"He relaxed a lot more than usual and was able to finish his race," he said. "He's won well and is a very good horse, he didn't hang left today and has run straight to the finish.
"We probably have three of the best milers (Canford Cliffs, Paco Boy and Dick Turpin) in the country and people keep saying they are all best at seven furlongs.
"He (Canford Cliffs) did a piece of work last week that was his best since he won the Coventry and Hughesie was able to sit on him like he was a jet-ski.
"His homework was as good as it was before Ascot and he has run like it today. He'll go to the St James's Palace and deserves to take his chance.