RACING: Hannon eyes Glory at Longchamp (From This Is Wiltshire)

OLYMPIC Glory is to go for Group One gold in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on October 7.

Trainer Richard Hannon feels the two-year-old colt deserves the chance of a top level triumph after notching up Group Two victories in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket on his last two starts.

"We could have supplemented Olympic Glory for the Dewhurst, but we have decided to head to France for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc day," he told richardhannonracing.co.uk.

"He is done with Group Twos and we want to give him the chance to prove he belongs on the top table."

The Herridge handler has an embarrassment of juvenile riches and outlined plans for several others among in his powerful juvenile team.

Hannon is looking first to Doncaster's St Leger Festival this week for which he is priming Sir Prancealot for the Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes on Friday and Toronado in the One Call Insurance Champagne Stakes.

"Toronado has done well since his last race and runs in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, with Sir Prancealot heading for the Flying Childers the previous day," he said.

"Sir Prancealot deserves to get his head back in front and he runs in the Group Two rather than trying to give weight to some useful horses in the big Sales race on Thursday.

"Havana Gold, who won so well at Haydock last weekend, is another who seems to revel on top of the ground conditions so, hopefully, the ground will be quick at Ascot on Champions Day (October 20) as we plan to run him there in the Group Two over the mile.

"The Qatar boys recently purchased a 75% interest and as they are sponsoring the day at Ascot, they will be keen to have runners and this race looks perfect for him.

"Wentworth won't be running at Doncaster. He is a very exciting horse and won like we thought he would at York, but we want to give him a little more time, so something like the Somerville Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket would suit him ideally.

"Newbury winner Montiridge, who has been sick, is now back in strong work and we might look for another little race for him before the season ends."

Sky Lantern could end her season in France rather than America should ground conditions be in her favour at Longchamp.

While trainer Hannon is tempted to take the impressive Moyglare Stud Stakes winner to Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, he is not ruling out the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on October 7.

"We are certainly considering the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on the turf for Sky Lantern as we have a free entry plus $20,000 for travelling expenses, which is a big bait," the handler added.

"She looks more impressive every time we watch the video and she loved that fast ground, so the fact that the Breeders' Cup is at Santa Anita again this year has to be in our favour as the turf course is bound to ride firm.

"However, Sky Lantern is also entered for the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, which would be a feasible alternative, especially if the ground in Paris was as fast as it was on Arc day last year.

"She has won three out of five but could easily be unbeaten. She should have won the Prestige at Goodwood and Hughesie (Richard Hughes) also said that Certify got first run when she beat us in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket, and she is supposed to be the best that Godolphin have.

"Sky Lantern will have no trouble staying the mile and we think she represents our best chance yet of winning the 1000 Guineas, though we obviously also have Maureen pencilled in for that."

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