Coppull rose to the occasion when he was stretched out in distance, securing his second Group Two triumph under a daring ride from Hector Crouch, who also completed a notable double on the day at Newbury’s Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes. The three‑year‑old colt, trained by Clive Cox, had previously finished third in the July Cup, but connections opted for a bold experiment, moving him up to seven furlongs. The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion, delivering a win that also gave Crouc h his third victory on the card. From the far side of the track, Crouch guided Coppoll with precision.
With two and a half furlongs left, he peeled away from the main pack, leading a three‑horse breakaway that proved to be the quickest to the finish. The decisive move showcased both the horse’s stamina and the jockey’s timing. The strategy proved a masterstroke. Coppoll, a Bated Breath offspring, held on strongly to cross the line first, taking the £93,571 prize by one and a quarter lengths at 15‑2 odds.
He beat Prince Of India, who finished second at 14‑1, and the 5‑2 favourite Symbol Of Honour, who was a further three‑quarters of a length back in third. Cox, who credited Crouch with the decision to race on the far side, said the win over seven furlongs opens up a range of options for the rest of the season. “He was unlucky not to place in the July Cup, but I always felt he could stretch another furlong – even as a two‑year‑old he performed brilliantly in the Coventry,” Cox told ITV Racing.
“He possesses a lot of class and reminds me a great deal of Lethal Force, the 2012 Hungerford winner who went on to become champion sprinter the following year. "He still has the speed for six furlongs, and while I’m not convinced he thrives on very soft ground, the dry summer we’ve had gives us flexibility. If he returns in good shape we could target the Haydock Sprint Cup with confidence after today’s performance, and we also have the Group Two Park Stakes at Doncaster, though he would carry a penalty there." The article then shifted focus to another Newbury story. Wine Dark Sea, a four‑year‑old gelding, produced a flawless run in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, a Highclere Thoroughbred Racing contest, and now has his sights set on the Melbourne Cup.
Connections recently sold a share of the horse to Australian Bloodstock, and his victory under Crouch secured a ballot spot for the Australian classic. Backed from 13‑2 to 7‑2, Wine Dark Sea never looked vulnerable, pulling away in the straight to beat staying‑on Tabletalk by a length and a half. William Haggas’ 2‑1 favourite Dubai Honour finished a neck further back in third.
Trainer Harry Charlton confirmed that the Melbourne Cup is the next target for the improving gelding, noting that the horse will head into quarantine on September 9. “The plan was to finish third to secure a ballot spot, and he has exceeded that,” Charlton said. “The Australian partners said a third‑place finish would keep his handicap unchanged, which is a different approach to what we’re used to here.” Wine Dark Sea has previously won handicaps at Ascot and Carlisle, but his performance at Newmarket’s July meeting was only a fifth place despite strong support.
Charlton attributed that dip to the rigours of a stiff finish and the long journey to the Cumbrian track. “He broke the track record at Carlisle carrying top weight, so you can’t expect an easy race, especially after an eight‑hour trip in a heatwave. Ten days later he was a slightly flat horse.” Charlton also highlighted the family connection to the Melbourne Cup: “My brother Tom trains in Australia and has a runner in the Cup as well.
We have a team heading down with the horse, and we’ll train him out of the quarantine barn at Ballarat.” Overall, the double success at Newbury underscores Hector Crouch’s versatility as a jockey, handling both a sprinter‑type colt stepping up in distance and a mature gelding aiming for international glory. For Coppoll, the victory adds a valuable option to his campaign, suggesting he could contest top‑level sprints later in the season or even stretch further to seven‑furlong contests like the Park Stakes. For Wine Dark Sea, the win cements his credentials as a potential Melbourne Cup contender, with the added benefit of a secured ballot and a promising preparation period ahead of his Australian adventure.
Fans are encouraged to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features via their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story from the sport’s most exciting moments.