Manley confident over Turpin's chances
August 13, 2010 09:23:59 UK
Owner John Manley is confident Dick Turpin's relaxed demeanour will help him last out the extended mile and a quarter of the Juddmonte International at York on Tuesday.
Dick Turpin is currently 7.00 to win the race, with Rip Van Winkle fancied at 2.75, while Twice Over (7.00) and Byword (3.75) are also being backed to take the Group One contest
Manley stumped up £50,000 to add Turpin to the elite field at Wednesday's confirmation stage.
And he feels it will be money well spent as he is sure to make a profit, provided the Richard Hannon-trained colt, second in the English and French 2000 Guineas and winner of the Prix Jean Prat, finishes in the first three.
"I gave it some thought and I was encouraged by Richard Hughes in my decision to supplement him," Manley told At The Races.
"I went through everything and it appeared to me that if he got placed I'd get my money back.
"If he was in the first three I'd make a profit and if we are fourth I'd lose fractionally. It's a bit like having an each-way bet at 3-1.
"I'm confident he'll stay because both Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes are fairly convinced he will, though his pedigree doesn't suggest that.
"That prompted me, along with his impressive run at Chantilly also, that we should have a crack at it. He's so relaxed at the races and is a real professional horse.
"I think there is always this, may I say it, hype with the Coolmore horses. Rip Van Winkle is, of course, a superb racehorse and deserves to be favourite.
"Interestingly enough Richard Hughes said to me the other day that he thought Canford Cliffs had a harder race against Dick Turpin in the St James's Palace than he did against Rip Van Winkle in the Sussex Stakes.
"Everybody has given me encouragement, that's the reason I've ducked out of France.
"All his two-year-old races were on soft ground. I think he's a few pounds better horse on the soft. That said he's also acted on good and good to firm ground, so he will take his chance on that."
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