Toormore on course for Guineas

Toormore proving too strong on his racecourse debut at Leicester. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

Connections of Toormore are excited and confident that their star juvenile colt from last year can continue his success at the top-level in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

The Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old was an eye-catching victor of a Group 1 in Ireland, after winning the Group 2 Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, beating subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner Outstrip.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Olympic Glory was victorious in the same race for Hannon in 2012 and connections are hoping that Toormore is as successful when he runs in Newmarket’s British Classic on May 3.

Tim Palin, Middleham Park racing manager, who own Toormore, told the Racing Post: “They (owners) are absolutely thrilled to own the champion two-year-old in Europe.

“We are almost marking off the days to May. We’re bound to be biased but we think we have got the best horse in the race. We are keen to go straight to the Guineas.”

Toomore could possibly contest the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, a race that Olympic Glory also won, before running in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.

A rival contender that looks likely to head elsewhere is Royal Ascot champion No Nay Never, after his trainer Wesley Ward hinted that the St James’s Palace Stakes will be his main target this year.

Part-owned by Coolmore, the colt was a wide-margin winner of the Norfolk Stakes at last year’s Royal meeting.

The unbeaten juvenile is said to be in good form ahead of an international campaign in 2014.

Meanwhile, dual Group 1-winning filly Chriselliam has had a training setback that could hinder her chances of lining up in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

The Charlie Hills-trained three-year-old was victorious in the Shadwell Fillies Mile at Newmarket and at the Breeders’ Cup in California last season.