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 after all 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 among the key occasions and the highest-profile race this weekend.
It would not be unattainable to come back right here after which head to the Metropolis of York Stakes over this journey on the Knavesmire, however with only a few days between contests, that’s unlikely. So I believe 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 alter.
You continue to want an aesthetic sort, and the race has been landed in current instances by the likes of Dream Of Goals, who landed the Group 1 Haydock Dash, Deadly Power, one other Group 1 hero, in addition to Paco Boy, Reel Buddy, Lend A Hand, Basic heroine Harayir and a few previous favourites within the form of Hadeer, Salieri and Salse.
So, let’s take a look on the seven runners set to go to publish within the 2024 renewal.
1. ENGLISH OAK (Draw 6)
Jockey: James Doyle | Coach: Ed Walker
James Doyle takes the experience on a horse who most likely has to search out a couple of kilos at these weights. Not everybody would have been thrilled together 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 swimsuit. Gained 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, by which I assure him a spot.
3. POPMASTER (2)
Ross Coakley | Ed Walker
Has a couple of kilos to search out with the very best of those and never achieved 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 am unable to see him successful except a lot of the others disappoint.
4. TIBER FLOW (3)
Tom Marquand | William Haggas
Proficient horse however tempo could 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 kind with English Oak. Tom Marquand rides on the again of his big success on Economics in France on Thursday.
Tiber Stream 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 could possibly be essential right here because it could be for Tiber Stream. Has knocked on the door all season as he tried to land a giant pot and was after all profitable on this final yr. I am unable to see a repeat but when he received, 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 – a minimum of within the sense he was denied by a slim margin. One other very lightly-raced horse who is definitely able to extra. My fear with him could be that at Sandown in Might he stored on properly over a mile on gentle 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 properly to bang within the Fred Darling over this course and distance in April, a race by which the 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka was third. Effectively crushed twice since and laborious to fancy regardless that she drops again in journey from a mile.
