RICHARD HANNON holds an enviably powerful hand with his two-year-olds this season, none more so than Zavone (2.40), who looks right on the money for Sandown's Rathbone Dragon Stakes.

After what appeared to be a run-of-the-mill debut, Zavone surpassed all expectations when scoring by nine lengths on his only other start at Newbury. It was a dazzling performance, especially as the son of Zafonic could actually have won by much further had jockey Dane O'Neill not taken his foot off the gas about one hundred metres from the winning line.

In view of the fact O'Neill didn't go for broke there's got to be a good chance the colt had plenty left in the locker, giving rise to the theory that the combination could once again take some catching in the £25,500 five-furlong listed contest.

Johnny Murtagh's booking for All Star (5.00) in the closing mile-and-three-quarter is of interest, not least because the Irish ace is such an excellent judge of pace

Admittedly getting the fractions spot-on is not going to be an easy task for mile-and-three-quarter distance of the Bluestone Handicap, however Murtagh is a rider blessed with a clock in his head, precisely what is required in order to produce All Star at the appropriate moment.

If anything Nicky Henderson's charge made his challenge a shade too soon when runner-up behind Sian Thomas last time out. In the circumstances Murtagh might therefore hang on to All Star's head until as late as possible, in which case his partner shouldn't idle in the latter stages of the stamina test.

There are very solid reasons to suggest Dara Mac (7.15) will be somewhere near the head of affairs come the finale of Beverley's Westwood Selling Stakes.

It's a rotten lousy race chock full of mainly has-beens, although naturally that comment doesn't apply to Dara Mac, who showed when fourth in a far tougher race at Thirsk last week that he still has the stomach for a fight.

Trainer Neville Bycroft has given the selection an extra fillip by engaging top apprentice Philip Makin to take the mount, and it's the 3lb which Philip is able to take off Dara Mac's back that could make the difference between victory and defeat.

Racing North ten-to-follow pick, Let It Be (7.30), topped up profits with a bloodless 11-4 success at Redcar recently.

Keith Reveley's mare has started her winning streak at the right end of the weights and with normal improvement could just be on the verge of completing a double in the Victoria Park Fillies Handicap at Haydock.

The Michael Dods' team continues to shine so it makes sense to side with the iform Society Music (9.00).

Society Music, who breezed to an emphatic win at Ayr a fortnight previous, has the help of Seb Sanders plus an all-important low draw when trying to defy top-weight in the Niodini Fillies Handicap over one-mile.

* Saeed Bin Suroor is confident Shamardal is ''100 per cent'' ready for tomorrow's titanic showdown with Motivator in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.

The two pre-eminent colts of the Classic generation head the betting on the all-aged showpiece, with runaway Epsom Derby winner Motivator best-priced at 5-6 with the sponsors.

Shamardal is available at 9-4, having taken the French equivalent sandwiched between victories in the French Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting.

Suroor said: ''The horse came from York in good form and worked yesterday. Today he is fine and is ready to run.

''It is a very tough race, but he has won three Group Ones (this season) and we are looking forward to it. It will be very hard to win, but our horse is top class and 100 per cent ready for it.''

Next best is the Luca Cumani-trained Starcraft, who was third in the Queen Anne on his first run since arriving from Australia.

Philip Robinson, who replaces Darryll Holland, sat on Starcraft for the first time on Wednesday and was taken with the five-year-old.

''I rode him yesterday morning and I was very impressed with him,'' he said. ''You can always tell a good horse when you sit on one and he definitely gave me that feel."

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