15:00 Newbury

Saturday 21 July 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Hackwood Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 11.19s

(7)

Bacchus²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: B J Meehan| OR: 110| C| D

9/2

Earned the right to have another crack at Pattern level when overcoming an absence to foil the gamble on Dreamfield in the Wokingham. Has won here previously, handles any ground and needs to be shortlisted.

Form: 95314-1

(2)

Dream Of Dreams¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 106| D

9/1

Won twice last year including a Listed race at Doncaster. Would be the type to typically progress for this yard this season but there's a concern he's been below par in three runs this year. The prospect of rain helps his cause.

Form: 151-755

(3)

Mythmaker¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 105| D

33/1

Useful sprinter but has shown he is not quite up to this level and the forecast of rain casts further doubts.

Form: 3-18231

(5)

Projection²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 112| D

11/4

His worst performance in 2017 came on very soft ground so the weather forecast is a concern. Had every chance until the final 100 yards in the Diamond Jubilee and he has reached a level on his last four starts good enough to win a Group 3.

Form: 302-335

(6)

Invincible Army²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: J Tate| OR: 112| D

11/2

Beat subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner Eqtidaar at Ascot on soft ground and clearly had an off day at Royal Ascot. Showed a few signs of temperament there which was worrying coming after a hard race in the Sandy Lane.

Form: 212-129

(10)

Enjazaat²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 103| D

50/1

Beat Tip Two Win as a juvenile but has made little progress since and is held by Invincible Army on Ascot form.

Form: 1619-30

(9)

Equilateral²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 105| D

5/1

Produced an exhilarating display to give 12lb and an 8L beating to Foxtrot Lady (now rated 102). Boiled over ahead of the Commonwealth Cup and seeks to refurbish his reputation in a race his trainer has taken twice in the last three years.

Form: 16-10

(4)

Hey Jonesy²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 109| D

12/1

Hung over to the worst of the ground in the Commonwealth Cup and was still only beaten 2l. Fourth in the Middle Park when conditions were on the soft side. His ante-post odds look generous given his form and the weather forecast.

Form: 134-525

(8)

Never Back Down^b²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: H Palmer| OR: 105| CD

25/1

Blinkers and a gelding operation helped him to an impressive C&D success in Listed company when Eqtidaar was amongst the vanquished. Obviously capable on his day but his latest display at Newcastle is evidence of the risks attached.

Form: 651-019

(1)

Yafta²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 107| BF| D

7/1

Tough sprinter who has not finished out of the first two on his last eight starts. Took the step up to Group 3 company in his stride at Newcastle and connections will be hoping conditions remain dry.

Form: 11-2122

Forecasts

Projection (11/4), Bacchus (9/2), Equilateral (5/1), Invincible Army (11/2), Yafta (7/1), Dream Of Dreams (9/1), Hey Jonesy (12/1), Never Back Down (25/1), Mythmaker (33/1), Enjazaat (50/1)

A 70% chance of rain on Friday and an even money prospect of further rain on Saturday dampens enthusiasm for Yafta and Projection. Bacchus and Invincible Army will not be inconvenienced by whatever conditions prevail, but the two that make most appeal are Equilateral and HEY JONESY. The former slammed the useful Foxtrot Lady on his reappearance and does not mind a bit of give underfoot. Charles Hills' charge let himself down at Royal Ascot and having done so previously his current price does not reflect the risks he carries. The selection drifted to the wrong side at Royal Ascot but was still a close fifth in the Commonwealth Cup and soft conditions will not be a problem.