Hannon Camp Up For The Cup

Richard Hannon's team hope a dual strike on Goodwood's Betfair Cup with Asset and Assertive will pay dividends on Tuesday.

Asset steps up to seven furlongs for the first time in over a year after finishing a staying-on sixth when sent off favourite for the July Cup last time.

He will be joined by Assertive, who warmed up for a crack at the Group Two feature with a close fourth in the six-furlong Hackwood Stakes on Friday.

Richard Hannon jr, son and assistant to his father, said: 'Both have good chances and we're looking forward to it.

'Assertive ran a very good race at Ascot the other day and we were very pleased with him.

'Asset was a little bit disappointing in the July Cup last time but he ran as though seven furlongs might suit him.

'He'll have a good chance and he stuck on well last time. He was finishing well and was probably the strongest finisher of all so this was an easy target to pick.

'The ground will be ideal for both of them, I would think.'

Jeremy Noseda will be represented by the lightly-raced Arabian Gleam, third behind Tariq in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

That prominent showing came on only his third visit to the racecourse and hopes are high the son of Kyllachy's improvement has yet to plateau.

The Shalfleet handler told www.jeremynoseda.com: 'I was very happy with Arabian Gleam's run at Royal Ascot.

'I feel that he has improved since then and he ought to run a solid race.'

Hambleton-based trainer Bryan Smart runs Misu Bond, who bids to land his first race since proving too strong for the Sussex Stakes-bound Jeremy in last season's European Free Handicap.

Last seen at Chester, where the combination of traffic problems and a slow early tempo worked against him, Misu Bond will be partnered by Royston Ffrench in the £150,000 attraction.

Smart said: 'He's in good form and came out of the last race well but Chester just never suited him.

'They crawled early and then quickened it up and that didn't suit. He was also locked up on the fence but that happens occasionally.

'I'm hoping for a good run tomorrow as it's a good race ? but it's also a proper open race.

'Ground conditions should be suitable really. As it's the first day of Goodwood I'd expect it to be perfect the way it's going.

'If he comes back to his best, he won't be far away.'

(C) PA Sport