Coppull rose to the occasion when he was stretched out in distance, securing his second Group Two triumph under a confident ride from Hector Crouch, who completed a notable double in the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. The three‑year‑old colt, trained by Clive Cox, had previously finished third in the July Cup, but a daring decision to test him over seven furlongs paid off handsomely for both horse and jockey, the latter also achieving a treble on the same race card. From the start, Crouch guided Coppoll with clear intent, positioning the horse on the far side of the track as the race unfolded.
With two and a half furlongs remaining, Coppoll broke away from the main pack, leading a trio of front‑runners that quickly proved to be the decisive move. The colt accelerated impressively, pulling ahead of his rivals and maintaining a strong, sustained drive to the finish line. The strategy proved a masterstroke.
Coppoll, a progeny of the sire Bated Breath, held on with remarkable vigor to claim the £93,571 prize, edging out Prince Of India by one and a quarter lengths at 15‑2 odds. The runner‑up, Prince Of India, was priced at 14‑1, while the third‑placed horse, Symbol Of Honour – the 5‑2 favourite and the third member of the breakaway – trailed by an additional three‑quarters of a length.
After the race, Cox – who credited Crouch with the decision to race on the far side – reflected on the significance of the win. He noted that the success over seven furlongs opened up a range of possibilities for the remainder of the season. "He was unlucky not to place at least in the July Cup," Cox said to ITV Racing, "but he always gave me the impression he could stretch another furlong, even as a two‑year‑old when he performed so well in the Coventry Stakes." Cox continued, drawing a comparison to the celebrated sprinter Lethal Force, who captured the same Hungerford Stakes in 2012 before becoming champion sprinter the following year. "Coppoll has a lot of class and reminds me a great deal of Lethal Force," he added.
"He still possesses the speed for six furlongs, and while I'm not entirely convinced he thrives on very soft ground, the dry summer we’ve had gives us more options." Looking ahead, Cox outlined a potential campaign that could include the Haydock Sprint Cup, should Coppoll return in good form, and the Group Two Park Stakes over seven furlongs at Doncaster, where the colt would carry a penalty. "If he comes back all right we could still run in the Haydock Sprint Cup and that would be with a bit of confidence after today. And we still have the Park Stakes, which obviously he would have a penalty in," Cox said. In related news, the race card also featured a strong performance from Wine Dark Sea, who seized every inch of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, positioning himself as a potential contender for the Melbourne Cup.
Connections have recently sold a share of the four‑year‑old gelding to Australian Bloodstock, and the victory under Crouch secured him a place in the prestigious Australian race. Wine Dark Sea, who started the race at 13‑2 odds before being backed to 7‑2, never looked vulnerable.
He stayed on powerfully in the straight, pulling away from the staying‑on Tabletalk to win by a length and a half. The race’s 2‑1 favourite, Dubai Honour, trained by William Haggas, finished a neck behind in third place. Trainer Harry Charlton confirmed that the Melbourne Cup is now the next target for the improving gelding, with quarantine scheduled to begin on September 9. "The intention today was to finish third, which would help with the ballot qualification for the Melbourne Cup, and he has done more than that," Charlton explained.
He added that Australian partners had initially aimed for a third‑place finish to preserve the horse’s handicap mark, noting the different approach taken by Australian racing authorities. Wine Dark Sea’s recent form includes impressive handicap victories at Ascot and Carlisle earlier in the season. However, a fifth‑place finish at Newmarket’s July meeting, despite being well supported, highlighted the challenges of traveling and adapting to different track conditions.
Charlton attributed that dip to the rigors of a stiff finish and the long journey to the Cumbrian track. "Although he won on the bridle at Carlisle, he broke the track record carrying top weight, so you can’t have an easy race, especially after traveling eight hours in a heatwave," Charlton said.
"Ten days later we saw a slightly flat horse." Charlton also mentioned his family ties to Australian racing, noting that his brother Tom trains a Melbourne Cup runner as well. "I have a team going down with the horse, and we’ll train out of the quarantine barn at Ballarat," he added, underscoring the logistical planning required for an international campaign. Overall, the Hungerford Stakes delivered a memorable day for both Coppoll and Wine Dark Sea, showcasing the strategic acumen of their trainers and the skill of jockey Hector Crouch.
Coppoll’s successful step up in distance adds a valuable option to his racing program, while Wine Dark Sea’s win strengthens his credentials as a potential Melbourne Cup contender. Fans can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features through Sky Sports Racing and other dedicated platforms, ensuring they never miss a story from the world of thoroughbred racing.