The Group 2 Hungerford Stakes is one of the feature flat races of the year at Newbury, and see’s defending champion Jumby bid to regain his crown this year. He’ll face a tough challenge from the likes of Pogo and Marbaan, although his biggest challenge could come from Richard Hannon’s Chindit, who disappointed in the race last year but has a superb record outside of Group 1 company.
GG editor Dan Corbally guides us through all ten runners before giving his expert verdict!
Last year’s renewal went the way of Eve Johnson Houghton’s JUMBY, who bids to follow up again this year. Take a look at last year’s race here:
Runner-By-Runner Guide
1. CHINDIT
(Richard Hannon/Pat Dobbs)
Having his first run since being sold to Greenfield Farms Stud in India. A bitter disappointment in this race last year when near the top of the market but has shown better form this season, taking a Listed race on return before a very honourable runner-up at Group 1 level in the Lockinge. Showed he retains plenty of ability and aggression when trying to bite the winner, Modern Games. Has course and distance winning form when landing the Greenham Stakes and has often shaped like this seven furlong trip could be ideal. Seems most at home on genuinely Good ground, so Friday’s going update may spell trouble.
2. JUMBY
(Eve Johnson Houghton/Charles Bishop)
Last year’s winner arrives in arguably better form despite a loss at Group 3 level latest in the Criterion. No shame in that loss having failed to give the winner 3lbs and he took the John Of Gaunt Stakes in good style on his penultimate run. However, he has form behind Chindit in the Lockinge Stake to reverse, little doubt that this seven furlongs is more his optimum though and he’s likely to be cherry ripe for today in a bid to defend his crown. Just like the previous horse mentioned, Chindit, the forecast ground looks worrying from his point of view.
3. MISTY GREY
(Tom Dascombe/Richard Kingscote)
Seems to be aiming quite high here and has a much stronger strike-rate on the all-weather (5/12, 1/21 on turf). But has shown himself capable of competing, finishing second in the Supreme Stakes Group 3 at Goodwood and fourth at Listed level at Chester this year. Behind one of today’s rivals, Witch Hunter, at Chester and would be a bit of a shock winner. Unlike the previous horses discussed, he has proved versatile in terms of ground and capable with give underfoot.
4. POGO
(Charles Hills/Kieran Shoemark)
Missed an intended run Sovereign Stakes but this looks much more his bag at his optimum seven furlongs. Took the scalp of ante post favourite for this race before her withdrawal, Sacred, late last year at Newmarket in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes. Despite some underwhelming performances in 2023 his latest attempt in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes was a major step back in the right direction. Like many of this field the bulk of his form has been on Good ground and he’s rarely seen on Softer than that.
5. RODABALLO
(G ARIZKORRETA ELOSEGUI/NEIL CALLAN)
Quite hard to weigh his Spanish form up, but at the very least he’s proved on soft ground. Has some back class with a Group 2 success in Germany and last month’s introduction to this country was very promising, making smooth headway before running out of gas in the final furlong. Not knocked about under considerate handling from Jamie Spencer late in the day. On the balance of probabilities he’ll likely improve for this drop back to seven furlongs but on his Meydan form he probably still has to find some improvement, but his aptitude for the surface could compensate that and help bridge the class gap.
6. WITCH HUNTER
(Richard Hannon/Sean Levey)
Another aiming quite highly today but is enjoying a productive year, has been on the go for some time but shows no signs of slowing down of running out of form. Scooped the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before three efforts at Listed and Group level. That form still leaves him a bit short of what will be required today though conditions should be fine for him.
7. MARBAAN
(Charlie Fellowes/Jamie Spencer)
Quite an interesting profile, unexposed at this distance. Beaten a head by the classy Run To Freedom over six furlongs before coming undone in the Commonwealth Cup. Promising performance when stepped back up to seven furlongs in the Lennox behind Kinross & Isaac Shelby, that leaves the distinct impression this race and potential make up could suit. Jamie Spencer will likely employ the typical Spencer tactics and with the chances that Pogo will ensure a truly run race those tactics could work a treat.
8. MOSTABSHIR
(John & Thady Gosden/William Buick)
Quite highly touted following a York Novice, but has failed deliver on the whole. Admittedly at a very-high level initially when 6th of 9 in the St. James’ Palace Stakes before only 4th of 6 is a Listed Newmarket Race. That latest run leaves him something to find with New Endeavour though the first two home, Nostrum and Embesto have shown the form as solid. Has been just running out of steam over the mile so this could drop back could work the oracle.
9. NEW ENDEAVOUR
(Roger Varian/Tom Marquand)
Like Witch Hunter he’s on the graduation trail having ran well at Royal Ascot, taking second in the Britannia, first in his group only beaten by Docklands on the day. Followed that promising run up with another solid run at Listed level in the same race as Mostabshir. Retains plenty of potential and could improve further on this cut back to seven furlongs, the trip he kicked off his improvement at in earnest. Coped with soft ground perfectly well on both occasions he’s encountered it.
10. MAMMAS GIRL
(Richard Hannon/Rossa Ryan)
Mentioned as a classic prospect after dancing away with the Nell Gwyn at the start of the season but things haven’t quote panned out for her as yet. Safe to say she hasn’t quite lived up to the billing and another in the race that hasn’t quite delivered on their potential just yet. This is the first time she’s reverted to seven furlongs since that taking Nell Gwyn success and she looked like she’d appreciate it when staying on over six furlongs on the drop back form a mile.
Verdict
Always a tricky race to work out but MARBAAN catches the eye. He looks the type to improve for this trip and Jamie Spencer can be trusted to deliver him at the perfect time with an honest pace looking likely. Mammas Girl also looks interesting now back at what looks her optimum trip while Chindit has danced plenty of big dances and won’t go down with a fight.
SELECTION: MARBAAN
Check out our Weekend Watch podcast, where Andrew Mount, Matt Sutcliffe and Dave Young guide us through their picks for Saturday’s ITV racing, with the action coming from Newbury, Newmarket and Ripon:
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