Pat Dobbs has been confirmed in the saddle of July Cup sixth
Prince Of India.
Northern Champion and
Sukanya will also represent the Classic generation. James Fanshawe's handicapper
Back In Black rounds off the market.
2026 Hungerford Stakes Tips
It’s interesting that Never So Brave comes to Newbury, rather than heading to York next week for the defence of his City Of York Stakes crown. Clearly, connections feel he’s not performing up to Group One standard this season, and I’m keen to take the market leader on in this quality contest.
WITNESS STAND (5/1) bumped into the thoroughly in-form More Thunder in this race 12 months ago, and returns to Newbury in excellent form.
Dr Richard Newland’s five-year-old was only beaten a head by future Group One winner Ten Bob Tony on his return to Britain at Epsom. Jack Doughty, for reasons best known to himself, then tried to hold the free-going Witness Stand up in the City Plate Stakes at Chester, where the favourite was comfortably beaten behind one of today’s rivals, Northern Champion.
Witness Stand reverted to his favoured front-running tactics in the Lennox Stakes two weeks ago. Dr Newland’s star held on from the front to win that Group Two convincingly last term, but couldn’t quite repeat that feat this year, losing out by just a length to Lake Forest, with Rogue Diplomat relegating the defending champion to third in the closing stages.
Saffie Osborne’s mount won’t be carrying a penalty in this year’s Hungerford, and his record at Newbury is very strong. Witness Stand is drawn high in stall seven, and the fast-starting Coppull will keep him company in the early stages. Unlike Coppull, Witness Stand’s stamina cannot be questioned, and he’s proven that he can produce his best on fast ground over the past couple of seasons.
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