Timeform provide an overview of the key things to note at Newbury, featuring the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes, on Saturday afternoon.
Dubai to kick of big day for Haggas
William Haggas’ strike-rate has just dipped a little below his usual excellent standards after only an average July and just the five winners in August, but his Run-To-Form percentage is typically high (63.6%) and with his beloved York around the corner the stable is expected to go into the Sky Bet Ebor Festival on the back of a confidence-boosting weekend.
Indeed, all of Haggas’ entries at Newbury are worthy of attention, with Dubai Honour kicking things off in the opening Group 3 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes over the extended 1m5f (13:25).
The eight-year-old son of Pride Of Dubai hasn’t been seen for over four months after last racing in Australia on April 11, where he was a five-length fourth in Group 1 company at Randwick.
Even that level of form might be enough here in moderate Group 3 company – Timeform rate him 6lb clear of his nearest rival – and given he has a very good record fresh he is taken to give Haggas a flying start to Saturday’s Newbury card.
Scoville has loads more to offer
Some punters might be starting to tread carefully with Haggas’ Scoville, who has finished seventh and 13th on his last two outings since wind surgery, but he looks well worth sticking with heading into the TPT Fire Handicap (13:35) over seven furlongs.
That seventh was a very good run in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, as he shaped better than the bare result on what was his handicap debut, leading under a strong hold before being headed late in proceedings.
Then last time at Goodwood his finishing position again doesn’t tell the whole story, this time having to work hard early from a wide draw which didn’t help him at all at the business end where he was fairly swamped in the last half furlong.
His handicap mark has at least dropped 2lb to 96 on the back of those runs, while this eight-runner contest looks considerably easier and the drop to seven furlongs looks in his favour too.
He’s 3lb clear on Timeform ratings and this looks an excellent opportunity for him to get a win on the board ahead of a potential crack at York next week (is entered in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap over a mile).
Go with potential in the Hungerford
Haggas could well be going into the Group 2 Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes (15:10) on a roll as he bids to win the seven-furlong contest for a fifth time, including in the last three consecutive years.
Never So Brave is the form pick here on his very best form for Andrew Balding, but he has dropped a level this season and that is reflected by the Timeform ratings which have him only joint-fourth in the list.
Coppull tops the ratings on 123, 1lb ahead of Prince Of India and Witness Stand, but they do not set a particularly high standard in the context of this level and it could be worth going with the potential of Haggas’ Extremely Zain.
He is the only horse in the race with the ‘p’ next to his rating (117p) and he showed last time at Ascot that he was still open to further improvement when racing keenly off a steady gallop in the Moet & Chandon International Handicap.
That meant he wasn’t seen to best effect and there was no shame in surrendering his unbeaten record, his reputation actually enhanced given the adversity and that he was beaten just a length and three quarters in fourth in such a competitive race.
Hampered late on as well, it would be no surprise if he went up a level now graduating out of handicaps and this looks the ideal next step for him considering his trainer’s excellent record in the race.
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.