Toormore Too Strong For Rivals In Lennox

Toormore repelled all challengers for a brave all-the-way success in the Group Two Qatar Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, UK, on Tuesday, July 28.

The Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old, dropping back to seven furlongs following three excellent runs over a mile at Group One level, broke smartly and soon went to the head of the seven runners under James Doyle.

He was asked to extend passing the two-furlong pole and found plenty under pressure when strongly pressed by Code Red soon afterwards.

Toormore continued to run on gamely, seeing off Ascription inside the final furlong and going on to beat the fast-finishing Dutch Connection by three quarters of a length in 1m 25.98s on ground described as good to soft, good in places.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Safety Check, ridden by William Buick also lined up in the race and the four-year-old, a dual Group Two winner in Dubai earlier this year, finished strongly from second last to snatch third, a head behind Dutch Connection.

Toormore went for the £300,000 Group Two feature on the opening day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival since two other Godolphin horses, Night Of Thunder and Belardo, are due to line up in the Group One Qatar Sussex Stakes, worth £1 million, tomorrow, Wednesday.

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, Godolphin's founder and driving force, said: "Toormore is a really tough, sound Group One horse and James (Doyle) is adamant that a mile is probably his best trip, which Richard (Hannon) has always said.

"With Night Of Thunder and Belardo running tomorrow, it made sense to bring this horse back to seven furlongs and, although it is not his ideal trip, the prize money was there. Great prize money like that cannot be ignored and congratulations to the Qatar team for putting on this fantastic prize money at Goodwood.

"These tough horses need to win and I could not be happier with him. We will talk to Richard and Sheikh Mohammed but I would have though the Jacques Le Marois (Group One, 1m str, Deauville, August 16) is a possibility.

"When we decided to purchase this horse, first and foremost he is a racehorse and I am sure there will be a lot of international events for him around the world. Obviously, when he finishes his racing, he will have a place at stud.

"He is a proper racehorse - he was a champion two-year-old and is a horse we can have a lot of fun with."

Richard Hannon declared: "Toormore did it the hard way. They came to him one by one.

"He needed to get a win under his belt and get his confidence back, and now we can move to the next level.

"I should think the Prix Jacques Le Marois will be next. He's such a pleasing horse to have in the yard, with a great attitude."

James Doyle added "A mile is his trip - he's a bit exposed at seven - but he's been knocking at the door in some top races and deserved this.

"I didn't want to go too slow today to keep the others at it and he helped me every inch of the way."

Charlie Appleby is eyeing the Hungerford Stakes (Group Two, 7f, August 15) at Newbury for Safety Check's next start.

The trainer said: "We are delighted with that first run back for him. He has run his heart out and performed very well. Hopefully, he will come forward a bit from this.

"He had to carry a 5lb penalty here but going into the Hungerford that will be down to 2lb which should make a it a little easier for him.

"At least he has brought the level of form he showed in Dubai to this race, which is always pleasing to see. He will be a fun horse.

"He travels very well through his races and on a sounder surface you will see more acceleration. Seven furlongs is definitely his trip."

Toormore is Godolphin's third winner of the Lennox Stakes following Byron (2004) and Iffraaj (2006).