Richard Hannon could have three runners in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket next Saturday. The Marlborough trainer hopes to saddle Cape Town with Richard Hughes on board, ManaMou Bay (no jockey yet) and Umistim, the mount of Dane O'Neill, in the first Classic.
"I've got two runners in the 2,000 Guineas for definite and I could run Mana-Mou Bay as well," said Hannon yesterday. "They've all just done a nice piece of work and I couldn't separate them."
Cape Town is a 10 to 1 chance with Ladbrokes for the big race following a stylish victory in the Victor Chandler Free Handicap at Newmarket and Umistim, who won the Craven Stakes on the Rowley Mile the following afternoon, is a 20 to 1 shot, the same price as Mana-Mou Bay.
Hannon has already won the 2,000 Guineas with Don't Forget Me in 1987 and with Tirol three years later.
Halland Park Girl will represent the stable in the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas the following afternoon.
A significant move on the 1,000 Guineas front was the trimming of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Amethyst to 6 to 1 from 8 to 1 with Ladbrokes.
Following recent rainfall the going at Newmarket is described as good to soft.
Ladbrokes bet: Sagitta 2,000 Guineas: 3-1 Giant's Causeway, 7-2 Distant Music, 8-1 Barathea Guest, 9-1 King's Best, 10-1 Cape Town, 12-1 Misraah, 16-1 Bernstein, Fath, Broche, 20-1 Scarteen Fox, Umistim, Primo Valentino, Mana Mou Bay, Alfini, 25-1 Bar.