Our ambassador offers a preview of four races scheduled for Newbury's Hungerford Day and provides an assessment of the headline contests at Ripon, with both meetings being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. **Extra distance could benefit the Hungerford hopeful** Coppull impressed me sufficiently in the Group One July Cup to convince me that he is capable of tackling the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes over three miles and ten furlongs at Newbury this Saturday.
The race will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing, giving viewers a chance to see the three‑year‑old in action. Trained by Clive Cox, Coppull was a little sluggish to find his rhythm at Newmarket, where the winner Comanche Brave broke well and set the pace.
The extra furlong at Newbury should suit the strong‑minded traveller, as the course is more conventional and the ground is expected to be forgiving. A longer trip often allows a horse with stamina to settle and then unleash a finishing kick, and Coppull appears to have that blend of speed and staying power.
Never So Brave will be backed by the supporters who enjoyed his second‑place finish in the Criterion at York over the same seven‑furlong distance. However, he has struggled to assert himself consistently this season, often finding himself boxed in or lacking the decisive turn of foot needed to win. Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Symbol Of Honour is a solid performer but has never succeeded at this specific distance, making his chances more speculative.
A more intriguing contender in my view is William Haggas’s Extremely Zain. The colt has already proven himself over this course and distance, having taken a victory that belied his final placing in the International at Ascot. He has been on an upward trajectory, improving his ratings each month, and although this race represents a step up in class, he should be able to hold his own in a standard renewal. His ability to handle the Newbury gallops, combined with a proven turn of foot, makes him a horse to watch.
**Millionaire sets the benchmark in the Geoffrey Freer** Dubai Honour, a seasoned campaigner with four Group One victories and more than £5 million in prize money, looks set to dominate the opening Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes over one mile and a quarter at Newbury. The eight‑year‑old has been a reliable partner for my husband Tom Marquand, delivering some of his finest rides. Fresh from a summer break and with an excellent record when running on the same day, Dubai Honour could easily notch his eleventh win.
The recent form of Mount Atlas and Tabletalk in the Silver Cup at York shows little to separate them, but I doubt either will improve enough to threaten Dubai Honour on these terms. Both have been consistent but lack the extra class needed to outstay a veteran of Dubai Honour’s calibre. Gamrai, who fought valiantly in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot, has now switched stables, joining George Scott after a spell with John and Thady Gosden.
While he is currently in deeper water, a change of scenery sometimes revitalises a horse, and the new training environment could bring out a better performance. **Fire can blaze in the Sprint Handicap** Having finally secured a front‑running position, Richard Hannon’s Wheels Of Fire is primed to deliver another bold display in the D&H Excellence In Nutrition Handicap over one mile and five furlongs at Newbury.
He defeated the re‑opposing Hypnotised comfortably at Sandown, and even a six‑pound weight increase may not be enough to blunt his momentum. Pat Dobbs, his upcoming rival, appears to be better suited to a higher weight, which could give Wheels Of Fire a tactical edge.
Chris Mason’s Glamorous Breeze earned the right to contest closely after a solid run at Goodwood. Though she has fallen short when stepping up to Listed and Group company, she still has something to prove. Dropping back into a handicap with a reduced rating could allow her to regain confidence and showcase her true ability. **Humam looks to build on Newmarket form** Humam’s front‑running third place in a warm‑up race at Newmarket positions him well for the TPT Fire Handicap over two miles and three‑quarters at Newbury.
I was impressed by how this former Andrew Balding runner stayed on the lead and produced his best effort for trainer Stuart Williams since being gelded over the winter. Maintaining his unchanged mark, Humam’s recent form appears more compelling than that of market rival Scoville, who has underperformed in both the Royal Hunt Cup and the Golden Mile at Goodwood and will need to improve to handle the shorter trip.
Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s respectable Great Acclaim has been competitive in high‑profile contests such as the Victoria Cup and the Buckingham Palace Stakes, but a handicap spell may be required to restore his confidence and allow him to regain his winning edge. **Roxby aims for a big‑race double** Malton trainer Nigel Tinkler and apprentice Alex Jary have an excellent opportunity to secure a memorable big‑race double at Ripon on Saturday, beginning with Lord Roxby in the William Hill/MND Association Great St Wilfrid Handicap over three miles and a quarter.
The four‑year‑old, based at Middleham Park, returns to the North Yorkshire track in top form after defeating the fancied Dark Cloud Rising earlier this month. He also performed strongly against a large field at York earlier in the summer and should be able to cope with a five‑pound weight increase against a group of ambitious rivals. Fast Track Harry, the likely favourite, showed improvement when fitted with cheekpieces for the first time at Ascot, but I remain unconvinced that Ascot’s unique surface will suit him again.
The class horse Aramram must overcome a low draw; he performed poorly from a similar position two years ago in this race, so a better starting gate could be crucial. **Magic Boy could sparkle in the Silver Cup** In the consolation race, the William Hill Supporting MND Silver Cup Handicap over two miles and five‑furlongs, Nigel runs Magic Boy, a four‑year‑old who ticks many of the boxes for a wide‑open, large‑field contest.
He is less exposed than many of his rivals and displayed his potential with a hard‑fought victory against eighteen opponents at York last month. A slow start in his subsequent appearance three weeks later hampered his chances, but his overall ability remains evident.
Magic Boy benefits from a favourable draw in stall 14, and his previous form at this venue underscores the importance of track familiarity. He has finished second on both his visits to the Garden Racecourse and appears ready to improve on that effort, potentially achieving a career‑best performance. Another notable entrant is Clive Cox’s Mythical Composer, who also enjoys a potentially advantageous draw in stall 15. The horse is looking to rebound from a disappointing run at Goodwood, his first start since being gelded, and a good showing here could signal a return to form.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.