Richard Hannon gives Urban Icon green light to take on Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood

URBAN ICON, winner of both his starts so far, will bid to make it three out of three when he lines up at Glorious Goodwood.

The exciting two-year-old will have his ability put to the test in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes.

Emphatic victories at Windsor and Salisbury so far this year have shown that the son of Cityscape is well above average, and connections now believe he’s ready for a step up in grade.

The long-striding colt has an entry in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes next month, but will first test the black type waters in next week’s Vintage Stakes.

Trainer Richard Hannon’s father won the race four times in a row from 2010-2013, and although he’s yet to land the contest himself, he believes his flying two-year-old has a good chance of giving him a first victory.

He said: “He will probably go the Vintage Stakes. I’ve taken my time with him. He has lots of speed. I didn’t want to go to Newmarket with him, as we didn’t need to.

“The owner is very patient and is happy to take it steady with him until next year. He is physically a very big horse and is not just a two-year-old.”

Hannon is also looking forward to sending the smart Neverland Rock to the Sussex festival.

The two-year-old finished third in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last week and his trainer believes the drop back to six furlongs will be ideal.

He said: “He ran a super race the other day in the Superlative Stakes and the seven furlongs might just have stretched him.

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“We got to that stage where you are nearly walking out to go see him in as he travelled that well.

“I think we need to go back to six for the time being, but he will get seven in the end as he is a very sensible horse.

“He is likely to be part of the Goodwood team and will likely go for the Richmond.”