Our ambassador offers a preview of four races on Newbury's Hungerford Day and weighs in on the headline contests at Ripon, with both meetings being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. **Extra distance could favour Coppull at Hungerford** After a strong showing in the Group One July Cup, Coppull convinced me that he possesses the class and stamina to target the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes over three miles and ten furlongs at Newbury this Saturday. The three‑year‑old, trained by Clive Cox, was a little slow to settle in his Newmarket debut, where the winner Comanche Brave broke well and seized the early advantage.
Coppull, however, proved his travelling ability and should relish the extra furlong on a more conventional, less testing surface. Another contender, Never So Brave, will have the backing of his backers after a respectable second place in the Criterion at York over seven furlongs.
Yet this season he has struggled to find a clear lead, and his recent form suggests he may be a step behind the top finishers. Godolphin’s Symbol Of Honour is a solid performer but has never managed a win at this distance, making his chances more of a long‑shot. A more intriguing option is William Haggas’s Extremely Zain.
The colt has already proven his aptitude for the course and distance, having won on this track previously. He also ran better than his final placing indicated in the International at Ascot, and his form has been on an upward trajectory. Although the Hungerford contest represents a step up in class, Extremely Zain should be able to hold his own in a standard renewal. **Dubai Honour sets the bar in the Geoffrey Freer** Dubai Honour, a veteran with four Group One victories and more than £5 million in earnings, looks to recapture past glories in the opening Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes over one mile and a quarter at Newbury.
The eight‑year‑old has delivered some of my husband Tom Marquand’s finest rides, and with an excellent record when fresh, he could notch his eleventh win after a summer break. 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 challenge Dubai Honour’s dominance at these terms. Meanwhile, Gamrai, who fought valiantly in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot, may benefit from a change of scenery after moving to George Scott from the John and Thady Gosden partnership. **Wheels Of Fire could blaze again in the Sprint Handicap** Having finally secured a front‑running position, Richard Hannon’s Wheels Of Fire is poised to deliver another bold performance in the D&H Excellence In Nutrition Handicap over one mile and five furlongs at Newbury.
He comfortably beat the re‑opposing Hypnotised at Sandown, and even a six‑pound weight increase may not be enough to deter him under the guidance of Pat Dobbs, who is arguably better suited to the higher weights. Chris Mason’s Glamorous Breeze earned a respectable effort at Goodwood and deserves a close finish, but the filly has yet to prove herself against Listed and Group competition. Dropping back into a handicap with a reduced rating offers her a chance to showcase her latent ability.
**Humam aims to build on a strong Newmarket run** Humam’s front‑running third place in a lively Newmarket race positions him well for the TPT Fire Handicap over two miles and three‑quarters at Newbury. I was impressed by how the former Andrew Balding trainee stayed on the pace and delivered his best effort for trainer Stuart Williams since being gelded this winter.
He heads into the race with an unchanged rating, and his 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. Scoville will need to improve significantly to cope with the shorter trip.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s dependable Great Acclaim has been competitive in major contests such as the Victoria Cup and Buckingham Palace, but a spell from the handicapper could be beneficial to preserve his longevity. **Roxby eyes a big‑race double at Ripon** Malton trainer Nigel Tinkler and apprentice Alex Jary have a realistic shot at pulling off 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 venue in top condition after defeating the well‑regarded Dark Cloud Rising over the same course and distance earlier this month. He also handled a sizable field at York earlier in the summer and should be able to manage a five‑pound weight increase against a group of smart rivals who still have something to prove.
The likely favourite, Fast Track Harry, showed improvement after trying cheekpieces for the first time at Ascot, but I remain unconvinced that the track will suit him. The class horse Aramram must overcome a low draw; he performed poorly from a similar barrier two years ago in this race.
**Magic Boy could turn the tables in the Silver Cup** In the consolation event, the William Hill Supporting MND Silver Cup Handicap over two miles and five furlongs, Nigel runs Magic Boy, a four‑year‑old who checks many of the right boxes for a wide‑open, large‑field sprint. He is less exposed than many of his rivals and demonstrated his potential with a hard‑fought win against eighteen opponents at York last month. A slow start in his subsequent appearance three weeks later hampered his chances, but the experience should serve him well. Magic Boy benefits from a favourable draw in stall 14, and his prior form at this venue is a crucial factor at Garden Racecourse.
He has finished second on both his visits and is eager to convert those placings into a victory, even if it requires a personal best effort. Another noteworthy entrant is Clive Cox’s Mythical Composer, who also enjoys a decent draw in stall 15.
The horse must rebound from a disappointing run at Goodwood, his first start since being gelded, but the pedigree and training suggest he could be a serious contender. Hollie Doyle discussed these insights with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the form and tactics that could shape the outcomes on Newbury’s Hungerford Day and at Ripon.