Librisa Breeze
Librisa Breeze

Betting preview: Hungerford Stakes at Newbury


Ian Ogg looks ahead to the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday and picks out the key stats from the last 10 renewals.

Four winners of the Betfred Hungerford Stakes (in the last 10 years) had raced in either the Lennox Stakes or the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, including last year's winner Richard Pankhurst, and the former race looks set to be well represented.

Breton Rock, winner of this race in 2014, came home with a wet sail to win on the Downs but looks eminently opposable under a penalty for that success and it's no surprise that LIBRISA BREEZE heads the ante-post market having been beaten a little over three lengths into ninth despite suffering a troubled passage.

Sixth home Aclaim certainly did his bit for the form of this year's renewal when turning out a week later to run a big race to finish second in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Only two winners in the last decade, subsequent Group One scorer Lethal Force and John Gosden's Listed winner Richard Pankhurst, hadn't previously been successful in a Group race and Librisa Breeze is still awaiting his first win at that level after four attempts (including two at the top level).

Given that he was fourth in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes two months ago, it's arguably a moot point but he's hardly been missed by the market.

Gosden has won two of the last four runnings and he could be represented by 1000 Guineas third Daban who hasn't been seen since finishing sixth - but second home in her group - in the Jersey Stakes under a penalty.

Eternally and Nathra could also represent Clarehaven Stables as the fillies line up in an attempt to emulate 2007 winner and dam of Found Red Evie.

Massaat has something to prove on his first run of the season (as does Spangled) while the drop back in trip isn't certain to suit Kaspersky.

Hugo Palmer saddled Home Of The Brave to be second last year and his Gifted Master has to be considered after a confidence boosting win at Doncaster but his price varies between 9/1 and 16s and the latter feels closer to the mark.

He would likely set a strong pace which would suit Cougar Mountain if he heads here rather than Leopardstown on Thursday (Psychedelic Funk would also be of interest if eschewing the same engagement) and it would also play into the hands of Librisa Breeze.

Dean Ivory's runner doesn't fit that many of the stats below but his run in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes marks him down as the one to beat and he's arguably a better performer over this longer trip.

The market looks to have got it right with Daban next best but this race could cut up considerably by Thursday and the current odds - a general 4/1 - about Librisa Breeze are well worth taking as this looks to be a perfect opportunity for him to really come of age.

Click here for Sky Bet's latest betting on the Hungerford Stakes.

  • Winners have been aged three (5), four (4) and six.
  • Winners have been priced between 6/5 and 25/1 with seven between 6/5 and 15/2.
  • Two favourites have been successful.
  • Eight winners had won a race during the current season.
  • Four winners had their preceding start at Glorious Goodwood in the Lennox (2) and Sussex (2).
  • Winners have been officially rated between 107 and 117.
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