14:20 Newbury

Saturday 14 August 2021

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0016:35

BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 2m 55.14s

(6)

Hukum^t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 114| CD

8/11

Really likeable colt, beaten just 3 lengths in the red-hot Hardwicke before resuming winning ways tongue tied in York Group 3 last month. The class act here and can defy a penalty to take this again.

Form: 15-4131

(8)

Pablo Escobarr^b,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104

12/1

Smart and consistent in 2020, winning Glorious Goodwood Group 3. Not quite hit the same heights this year, held in change of headgear back at that track a fortnight ago. Stamina to prove.

Form: 10-5355

(1)

Red Verdon^b⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 106

18/1

Back to form of late, winning extended 2m listed race at Sandown 6 weeks ago. That was a messy small-field affair though and he'll need more back up in grade here.

Form: 485621

(5)

Rodrigo Diaz²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: D M Simcock| OR: 96| BF

14/1

Has carried on his progression this term, winning Doncaster handicap in June and unlucky not to score again here (2m) 4 weeks ago, conceding first run. More to come and interesting up in class.

Form: 11-2132

(2)

Sleeping Lion²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 101| C

20/1

Returned with victory for new yard in 2m Kempton handicap and back to form behind Rodrigo Diaz here 4 weeks ago. First crack at a Group race now and he looks up against it.

Form: 238-104

(4)

Without A Fight¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 105| C

20/1

Not so good in 2 runs nearly 3 months apart since his promising return in the John Porter here. Still early days at least and he has a new rider today. Won well at this meeting last year.

Form: 113-238

(7)

Golden Pass²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Louis Steward| T: H Palmer| OR: 102

6/1

Very much going the right way, making it 2 wins from last 3 starts in Newmarket listed event (12f) 4 weeks ago. Likeable type stepping up in trip and she may not have peaked. One to consider.

Form: 114-121

(3)

Recovery Run¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 98

11/1

Useful juvenile who has contested some good races this term and ran really well in warm 3-y-o Glorious Goodwood handicap over 12f last time, meeting trouble and not knocked about. Interesting.

Form: 2-95063

Forecasts

Hukum (8/11), Golden Pass (6/1), Recovery Run (11/1), Pablo Escobarr (12/1), Rodrigo Diaz (14/1), Red Verdon (18/1), Without A Fight (20/1), Sleeping Lion (20/1)

HUKUM continues to go from strength to strength and can defy a penalty for his York success and win this Group 3 for the second year running. Recovery Run didn't get much luck at Goodwood and could go well back up in grade if he stays. Golden Pass and Rodrigo Diaz could also be in the money.