Newbury racecourse hosts the Gr2 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes on Saturday afternoon (16h35), the highest rated race in the UK over the weekend.
The feature is run over the straight 1400m at the Berkshire track where ground conditions are likely to remain good to firm.
Newbury Racecourse
Newmarket trainer William Haggas saddles course winning three-year-old Tiber Flow. The cheek pieces have been removed after a disappointing eighth placing behind Perfect Power in the Gr1 Commonwealth Cup last time out. He receives a 6lbs age allowance, and this progressive sort must be in the mix in a competitive race.
Chris Wall’s decision to run Double Or Bubble here instead of at York next week is worth noting and the game five-year-old mare ran a fair fifth behind Alcohol Free and Naval Crown in the Gr1 July Cup, beaten just under four lengths on her last start.
Back up to seven furlongs looks the right move now, having posted some decent efforts over the distance in the past, including being beaten a neck by Highfield Princess over the distance last year.
However, a chance is taken with the front-running Pogo, trained by Charlie Hills and ridden by Kieran Shoemark.
The son of Zebedee has been in tremendous form this season, winning the John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock in May, following up in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket and then finishing a close third behind Sandrine most recently in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood where, after being headed over a furlong out, he battled back in his typical game fashion.
With an official rating of 115, Pogo looks the one to beat getting 3lbs from the penalised Chindit while every other horse in the field has at least 5lbs to find.
Earlier on the card (15h30), course winner Away He Goes, trained by the in-form Ismail Mohammed, could be the one to be with in the Gr3 BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes.
Only five go to post over the extended 1 mile and five furlong start, with the Martin Meade trained 3-year-old Zechariah, favourite.
Tom Marquand, pictured above, rides the Nathaniel colt and the 10lbs age allowance he receives is a positive. He was narrowly denied in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, but then disappointed when favourite at Newmarket over Saturday’s trip behind Deauville Legend.
Six-year-old Away He Goes took a step forward from his reappearance when fifth behind Kyprios, Stradivarius and Trueshan in the Goodwood Cup last month and that form looks by far the strongest on offer. He can end his losing run down in trip and class.
All eyes will be on Luxembourg at the Curragh as he returns after a 105-day break for the Gr3 Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (17h05).
The Camelot colt enhanced his reputation when third in the 2000 Guineas in May and with this step up in trip expected to suit, he’s hard to oppose.
This race looks a good starting point before a Group One autumn campaign including a possible tilt at the Arc in October.
