Libranno lands hat-trick

Libranno (5-4f) continued the hot streak of Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes with victory in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

The juvenile completed a hat-trick of wins and a second Group Two in a row following his surprise success in the July Stakes earlier in the month.

Hughes was able to dictate matters from the front over the six furlong trip and slowly wound up the pace on the progressive son of Librettist.

Following wins earlier in the week from juveniles Zebedee and King Torus, Libranno completed a Group-race hat-trick for the stable by pulling away in the final furlong to hold the persistent challenge of The Paddyman (4-1).

"We took him to Newmarket very raw, but we still thought he'd have a good chance in the July Stakes and he's won very well again today," Hannons said.

"I don't really know what we're going to do with him now. It's up to the owner really, but he wouldn't want much further than six furlongs unless we can teach him to race in a different way."

"Ideally something like the Prix Morny (next), but that might come a bit quick for him."

Redwood swooped late to take top honours in the Coutts Glorious Stakes for trainer Barry Hills.

The 7-1 shot moved up stylishly alongside surprise Eclipse runner-up Sri Putra, but Michael Hills' mount pulled out more in the struggle to the line, winning by a length and a half.

"He's always been a good horse but he had some niggling problems last year and going over a mile and a half seems to have brought out the best in him," said the winning trainer.

"I'll have to discuss it with the Prince (Khalid Abdullah, owner) but there's the Canadian International to think about, there's a race in Turkey and they are quite keen to send him over to America at some point.

"But I'd only want him to go overseas once this year as it takes a lot out of them."