Mehmas can steam to success in National Stakes at Sandown

David Metcalf | May 26, 2016

Mehmas can complete hat-trick in National Stakes

The Hannons have a terrific record in the National Stakes and Mehmas can further enhance it with victory in the Listed 5f contest on a cracking six-race card at Sandown this evening (18.35).

Trainer Richard Hannon junior has saddled the winner of the last two runnings, and his father of the same name won it 10 times between 1991 and 2012.

In Mehmas, Hannon has a colt who has looked right out of the top drawer in winning both his starts.

After overcoming greeness and trouble in running to score on debut at Chester when showing a smart turn of foot to win by a cosy 3/4 of a length, the two-year-old put in a scintillating display to follow-up in conditions’ contest at Newbury.

Best juvenile seen so far this season

Mehmas was held-up in the latter by a confident Frankie Dettori, and after making smooth headway on the bridle a furlong from home only had to be shaken up inside the last to quicken clear and beat Global Applause by 3 1/4 lengths.

The runner-up went into the race with a huge reputation after bolting up on debut at Newmarket, and the way in which Mehmas destroyed him with effortless ease suggested he was the best juvenile seen out this season.