Indian Sign A Good One For Hannon

Indian Ink signed off her 2006 campaign in the best possible way with a Group One victory in the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The Richard Hannon-trained filly has gone from strength to strength in recent months, flourishing on rain-softened ground on her last two starts.

After plundering the #250,000 Watership Down Stud Sales race seven days previously, the juvenile captured the Group One contest by just a neck from Dhanyata ? denying the latter's trainer Brian Meehan a third consecutive win in the race.

Richard Hughes was content to sit in just behind the pace aboard Indian Ink, sent off the 3-1 joint favourite, and he sent her to the lead two furlongs out.

His every move was covered by Jimmy Fortune aboard Dhanyata, but Indian Ink revelled in the ground and stayed on best to score by a neck.

Meehan, who had struck in the past two runnings with Magical Romance and Donna Blini, came close to completing a clean sweep with Dhanyata, and she was followed home by Silca Chiave under Ted Durcan.

Indian Ink had been at home in testing conditions at Ascot, and Hannon said: 'I was delighted to see the rain.

'She got into trouble going into the Dip but when she hit the rising ground she ran on again ? I did think we were in bother for a second.

'We went for the money in the Watership Down race but she won that easily and we decided if she came out of that race well she would come here if they got the rain ? which they did, and here we are.

'That's it for her this year. She's had five quick races.'

Late withdrawal Sander Camillo is now the 3-1 favourite for next year's Guineas with Coral, who cut Indian Ink into 20-1 from 33s, a move that was mirrored by Ladbrokes and Stan James (from 40) while totesport offer 25-1.

'She is a lovely looking filly and there is no reason why she won't get a mile,' added Hannon.

'She is out of a Darshaan mare so we'll have to be looking at the 1000 Guineas.'

Meehan said: 'The outside draw was no help. Jimmy Fortune was disappointed with the draw ? he thinks it has cost him the race, but all credit goes to the winner.

'I finished second to her last week with a very nice filly of mine (Siamese Cat) and Dhanyata might come back for the Rockfel now.'

Mick Channon was pleased with Silca Chiave's third, adding: 'She ran her race - we have got no complaints, we were just beaten by a filly that loves the soft ground.

'All credit to Richard Hannon ? he brought the winner back after a hard race last week. That will be Silca Chiave finished for the year now.'

(C) PA Sport