Hannon eyes another Naas raid Richard Hannon is hoping lightning can strike twice as he sends Fig Roll for the Coolmore Stud European Breeders Fund Fillies' Sprint Stakes at Naas tomorrow. Hannon claimed the Listed heat with subsequent Qipco 1000 Guineas winner Sky Lantern in 2012 and the Wiltshire handler sends Fig Roll from his Wiltshire base in an effort to repeat the trick. The Bahamian Bounty filly was beaten on her debut at Kempton but subsequently struck gold in a five-furlong heat at Salisbury last month. "This is the race that Sky Lantern won last year, and the small field will be perfect for Fig Roll, who is not a big filly and would not enjoy getting bumped around," the trainer said. "She looked as if she was crying out for six furlongs when winning at Salisbury on 1000 Guineas day so, hopefully, lightning might strike twice." Hannon also runs Newmarket winner Corncockle. A total of 11 fillies go to post with Aidan O'Brien fielding two newcomers in Adeste Fideles, a half-sister Viscount Nelson, and Bracelet, a daughter of Cherry Hinton who is related to the likes of Galileo and Sea The Stars among others. There is a second British raider in the Richard Fahey-trained Sandiva while Glassatura and Heart Focus are among the other leading contenders. The Owenstown Stud Stakes is the other Listed race on the card with the Group One-placed Reply representing O'Brien and Dermot Weld running the well-regarded Ghaamer. O'Brien's Stubbs is the headline act in the Alfred Nobel Rochestown Stakes, a race won by Dawn Approach last year. His trainer Jim Bolger fields the maiden Club Wexford this time.
