Mehmas can steam to success in National Stakes at Sandown
Published:
David Metcalf | May 26, 2016
Mehmas can complete hat-trick in National Stakes
The Hannons have a terrific record in the National Stakes and Mehmas can further enhance it with victory in the Listed 5f contest on a cracking six-race card at Sandown this evening (18.35).
Trainer Richard Hannon junior has saddled the winner of the last two runnings, and his father of the same name won it 10 times between 1991 and 2012.
In Mehmas, Hannon has a colt who has looked right out of the top drawer in winning both his starts.
After overcoming greeness and trouble in running to score on debut at Chester when showing a smart turn of foot to win by a cosy 3/4 of a length, the two-year-old put in a scintillating display to follow-up in conditions’ contest at Newbury.
Best juvenile seen so far this season
Mehmas was held-up in the latter by a confident Frankie Dettori, and after making smooth headway on the bridle a furlong from home only had to be shaken up inside the last to quicken clear and beat Global Applause by 3 1/4 lengths.
The runner-up went into the race with a huge reputation after bolting up on debut at Newmarket, and the way in which Mehmas destroyed him with effortless ease suggested he was the best juvenile seen out this season.
Mehmas is currently 3/1 favourite with Coral for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot on the back of those successes, and with further improvement looking assured I expect him to take this and cement his position at the head of the market.
Chupalla a big player
Global Applause reopposes, but I can’t see any logical reason why he should reverse the form with Mehmas and Chupalla rates the main danger.
The Mark Johnstone trained filly looked a smart prospect when winning on debut at Kempton back in March, breaking smartly to make all and beat Stormy Clouds by six lengths.
Stormy Clouds has scored twice since, and Rapacity Alexander who was beaten 9 1/4 lengths into third has also gone on to taste success.
That gives the form a rock solid look, and there was lots to like about the way Chupalla travelled strongly at the head of affairs before showing a nice turn of foot when asked to go about her business a furlong from home.
The daughter of Helmet clearly has a huge engine, and in receipt of a 5lb sex allowance from Mehmas looks a big player for a yard that have a decent crop of juveniles this season.
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Coral’s top tip: Mehmas looks the real deal and rates a solid bet to land the hat-trick. Chupalla can chase him home.
