Mystery Power gives in-form Richard Hannon Superlative success

Watch how Mystery Power landed the the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday plus Lydia Hislop's interview with winning jockey Oisin Murphy.

Mystery Power relished the stiff finish to come home clear in the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Yet another winner at the July meeting for trainer Richard Hannon, the King Power Racing-owned colt had won at Haydock on his debut over seven furlongs on his only previous start to date.

Niggled along by Oisin Murphy to get closer at halfway, he began to look a big threat as the field panned out.

When the fancied pair of King’s Command and Aidan O’Brien’s Year Of The Tiger dropped away, Juan Elcano was the only one still on the bridle.

On meeting the rising ground, Mystery Power (7-1) went into overdrive and Juan Elcano, also having just his second outing, had no answer.

The winner pulled a length clear, with Maxi Boy back in third and Ropey Guest in fourth.

Hannon was having his fourth winner at the meeting and Mystery Power, who was given a 20-1 quote for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas by Paddy Power, looks right up there with the best of his two-year-old colts this year.

Assistant trainer Tony Gorman said: “That was expected, he's a really nice horse.

“He could go to Goodwood, possibly for the seven furlong race. He has a good constitution, he's very laid back and fresh, he's a proper two-year-old, so he's not one we have to wrap up.

“Oisin said he was very professional, but he always has been since he had his first run. He's a proper little horse.

“I guess a lot depends on what other two-year-olds King Power have, but we have always liked this fellow.

Murphy told Racing TV: “He's a super little horse, I was happy to get a tow off James [Doyle aboard King's Command] and keep it simple. He's tough and very professional so at this stage you would be very pleased.”

Connections of the runner-up and third believe their respective colts hold bright futures.

Juan Elcano (6-1), who had scored on his debut in easy ground at Haydock, picked up well in the closing stages to finish second this time under Andrea Atzeni.

The Frankel colt’s trainer, Kevin Ryan, said: “It was very different ground than he encountered last time, but the ground here was no problem.

“He ran a little green into the dip and probably just got a little unbalanced. Andrea just had to wait for him to find his stride again and the winner had gone.

“But he has picked up and finished his race really well. He is a lovely horse for the future.

“There are no immediate plans. I will speak to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (owner) and then make a plan.”

Frankie Dettori was a further three-and-a-quarter lengths adrift in third aboard the Michael Bell-trained Maxi Boy.

The Italian rider said: “I would like to make a small suggestion - if you go to the Ascots and the Goodwoods, you will take on all the good horses in the world. I would suggest we go to France for a Group 3. It might be more beneficial for him. He tries, he is genuine.”

Bell added: “We could run him in France. He is definitely a Group performer. It is just a question of boxing clever.

“So, where we go next, I’m not sure. It is always dangerous to make immediate plans, but funnily enough, I thought the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood would suit him, but we will see how he comes out of this. I’m very happy with his performance, though.”