Cliffs can go the distance

Richard Hannon has drawn comparisons between Canford Cliffs and his brilliant miler Paco Boy ahead of Saturday's Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

It has taken Paco Boy some time to silence the doubters over whether or not he stays a mile and despite winning the Queen Anne last year and the Lockinge, there are still those who believe seven furlongs to be his best trip.

Canford Cliffs looked electric in winning the Coventry Stakes last season but has lost his three subsequent races, including his first try over a mile in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Hannon is convinced it was not the trip that beat him that day, and despite Aidan O'Brien fielding six in an attempt to retain the race he took with Mastercraftsman last season and Henrythenavigator 12 months earlier, confidence in the camp is high.

"Doubtless the Ballydoyle plan is to try and exploit any chinks in our stamina, but none of us have ever had any doubts about Canford Cliffs' ability to get the mile and we are going there with our tails up," said Hannon.

"Canford Cliffs worked brilliantly for Hughesie (Richard Hughes) on Wednesday morning.

"It was the best gallop that he has produced this season and Richard got off and said that he was finally getting the same sort of feel that the horse gave him before Royal Ascot last year.

"Before Newbury, Canford Cliffs' morning exercise was satisfactory but no more than that, but that trial seemed to snap him into action, and we were much happier with him going to Newmarket.

"I thought he was sure to win going into the Dip, but he hesitated on the ridge of the course and people don't realise how many horses get found out by the undulations of Newmarket.

"Canford Cliffs will be much more at home at the Curragh and after two disappointments it would be great if we could get him back on track and prove to everybody that he really is a superstar.

"I know there are still plenty who think that he is a sprinter, but they said the same about Paco Boy.

"Maybe this time they will be proved right, and if so, we will come back in distance, but we are going to Ireland in a positive frame of mind and we won't be making excuses if we get beat."

Just a length behind Canford Cliffs at Newmarket was Clive Cox's Xtension

He was also narrowly beaten into third last October in the Dewhurst, one place ahead of Steinbeck

"I'm very happy and he did a very nice, pleasing piece of work last Saturday morning," said Cox.

"I was very pleased with his run at Newmarket. I'm delighted that he has come back well from that and the three horses in front of him all had the benefit of a run.

"We took that choice not to have a run prior to the Guineas, but I'm pleased that hopefully he will just improve a little bit from there.

"I'd like to think that he's come on since then and I was thrilled with him on Saturday in what was just a routine piece of work, but he pleased me very much."

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