Matt Chapman is at Newbury on Saturday for Sky Sports activities Racing and right here he places the weekend’s Group 2 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes characteristic contest within the highlight.
Whereas Nice Britain yearns for a Group 1 race over 7f, it does in fact have some Group 2 contests over that journey and the Guess Victor Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, live on Sky Sports activities Racing, is among the key occasions and the highest-profile race this weekend.
It would not be inconceivable to come back right here after which head to the Metropolis of York Stakes over this journey on the Knavesmire, however with just some days between contests, that’s unlikely. So I feel it is truthful to see this as – in the principle – the second tier of performers at this distance, which makes its Group 2 standing comprehensible and unlikely to alter.
You continue to want a cultured sort, and the race has been landed in latest occasions by the likes of Dream Of Desires, who landed the Group 1 Haydock Dash, Deadly Pressure, one other Group 1 hero, in addition to Paco Boy, Reel Buddy, Lend A Hand, Basic heroine Harayir and a few outdated favourites within the form of Hadeer, Salieri and Salse.
So, let’s take a look on the seven runners set to go to submit within the 2024 renewal.
1. ENGLISH OAK (Draw 6)
Jockey: James Doyle | Coach: Ed Walker
James Doyle takes the trip on a horse who in all probability has to seek out a number of kilos at these weights. Not everybody would have been thrilled along with his fourth within the Lennox at Goodwood however these near this horse do not assume he let himself down correctly and he returned with a barely twisted shoe. Earlier than that, he was a tasty winner of the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. Cannot be ignored.
2. JUMBY (5)
William Buick | Eve Johnson Houghton
A mountain to climb with a score of 100 however has been a great horse and circumstances will go well with. Gained this in 2022 from Dubai Poet with Tiber Move again in sixth, however he was rated 109 then. I am hoping he will get taken out right here and runs within the Racing League subsequent week, wherein I assure him a spot.
3. POPMASTER (2)
Ross Coakley | Ed Walker
Has a number of kilos to seek out with the very best of those and never completed a lot this season, though his seventh within the Victoria Cup was removed from a foul run. Mainly must discover a lump on rankings to attain for Ross Coakley and I can not see him successful until many of the others disappoint.
4. TIBER FLOW (3)
Tom Marquand | William Haggas
Proficient horse however tempo may be a difficulty as he got here from miles again when scoring at Haydock two runs in the past. Wasn’t ok within the Lennox at Goodwood and onerous to see why he would overturn kind with English Oak. Tom Marquand rides on the again of his enormous success on Economics in France on Thursday.
Tiber Move must bounce again
5. WITCH HUNTER (1)
Jamie Spencer | Richard Hannon
Jamie Spencer is little doubt an fascinating reserving for a horse who loves to shut in. That stated, lack of tempo may very well be essential right here because it may be for Tiber Move. Has knocked on the door all season as he tried to land a giant pot and was in fact profitable on this final 12 months. I can not see a repeat but when he gained, it will not be a shock.
6. KIKKULI (4)
Oisin Murphy | Harry Charlton
Oisin Murphy rides a colt who was unfortunate to not beat Haatem within the Group 3 Jersey Stakes – at the least within the sense he was denied by a slim margin. One other very lightly-raced horse who is unquestionably able to extra. My fear with him could be that at Sandown in Could he saved on nicely over a mile on comfortable floor – that is going to be a really fast 7f.
7. FOLGARIA (7)
Hollie Doyle | Marco Botti
Hollie Doyle booked for a filly who battled nicely to bang within the Fred Darling over this course and distance in April, a race wherein the 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka was third. Nicely crushed twice since and onerous to fancy although she drops again in journey from a mile.
