THIS AFTERNOON’S GROUP 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury looks set to be the highlight of an otherwise quiet weekend of racing.
Twelve contenders go to post for the seven-furlong sprint, headed by Excelebration who looks likely to go off as favourite at odds of about 3/1.
Marco Botti’s colt has improved steadily all season and looks to be a class prospect at this level.
His most recent outing came at Royal Ascot in June when he chased home Frankel and Zoffany in the St James’ Palace Stakes, finishing two-and-a-quarter lengths behind the winner without ever really challenging.
Prior to that, he was excellent in winning the German 2,000 Guineas in May, and today’s step down in class and shorter trip give him every chance of scoring.
His main challenger will be Richard Hannon’s Dubawi Gold, the mount of Johnny Murtagh.
Like Excelebration, Dubawi Gold is another who is traditionally more accustomed to Group 1 company, finishing as runner-up to Frankel in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas before he was overturned by Roderic O’Connor when favourite to take the Irish edition at the Curragh.
His most recent form is a cause for concern though as the early prices have shown. He looked to be far below his best when finishing sixth last time out in the St James’, and on that form, has 13 lengths to find with Excelebration.
The gap between the two isn’t as big as that margin would suggest — in fact, both run off the same mark of 117 today — but Dubawi Gold will need to recapture his early-season form if he is to challenge.
Of the older contenders in the field, perhaps Sheik Mohammed’s Musir has the most appealing prospects.
Now five-years-old, he proved himself to be very comfortable in Group 2 company last season, winning the UAE Derby at Meydan. That win came over three furlongs more than this afternoon’s contest, and so his staying credentials are not to be questioned.
Without a run since April, he may be slightly rusty. But he is the highest-rated horse in the field, running off 118, and should have the class the nullify the weight advantage given to the younger horses.
Godolphin horse Delegator is another who will be quite familiar to horse racing fans.
A regular feature in Group 1 contests in recent years, he had a great start to the season when taking the Group 2 Duke of York by a half-length. He then stayed on well when finishing sixth behind a better horse, Dream Ahead, in the July Cup at Newmarket, but looked remarkably out of sorts when finishing at the tail end of the field last time out at Glorious Goodwood.
With Frankie Dettori on board, anything can happen, but he is another who will need a revival of form if he is to challenge.
Nap of the day
It’s a wide open contest, but maybe the one to watch is Dubawi Gold (5/1) who will certainly be in the frame if back to his early-season best.
