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 function 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 Wager Victor Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, live on Sky Sports activities Racing, is without doubt one of the key occasions and the highest-profile race this weekend.
It would not be unimaginable to return 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 primary – the second tier of performers at this distance, which makes its Group 2 standing comprehensible and unlikely to vary.
You continue to want a cultured kind, and the race has been landed in current occasions by the likes of Dream Of Goals, 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Pressure, one other Group 1 hero, in addition to Paco Boy, Reel Buddy, Lend A Hand, Basic heroine Harayir and a few outdated favourites within the form of Hadeer, Salieri and Salse.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 journey on a horse who most likely has to search 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 suppose 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 ranking of 100 however has been a very good horse and circumstances will swimsuit. Received this in 2022 from Dubai Poet with Tiber Stream 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, during which I assure him a spot.
3. POPMASTER (2)
Ross Coakley | Ed Walker
Has a number of kilos to search out with the very best of those and never performed a lot this season, though his seventh within the Victoria Cup was removed from a foul run. Principally must discover a lump on rankings to attain for Ross Coakley and I am unable to see him profitable until a lot of the others disappoint.
4. TIBER FLOW (3)
Tom Marquand | William Haggas
Proficient horse however tempo may be a problem 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 laborious to see why he would overturn type with English Oak. Tom Marquand rides on the again of his large success on Economics in France on Thursday.
Tiber Stream must bounce again
5. WITCH HUNTER (1)
Jamie Spencer | Richard Hannon
Jamie Spencer is little question an attention-grabbing reserving for a horse who loves to shut in. That mentioned, lack of tempo might be essential right here because it may be for Tiber Stream. Has knocked on the door all season as he tried to land an enormous pot and was in fact profitable on this final yr. I am unable to 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 slender margin. One other very lightly-raced horse who is unquestionably able to extra. My fear with him could be that at Sandown in Might he stored on effectively over a mile on tender 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 effectively to bang within the Fred Darling over this course and distance in April, a race during which the 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka was third. Effectively crushed twice since and laborious to fancy despite the fact that she drops again in journey from a mile.
