Saturday promises a packed racing schedule, featuring flat contests across several venues including Deauville, Doncaster, Lingfield, Newbury and Ripon, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The centerpiece of the day’s action is the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, where the standout contenders Never So Brave and Coppull are set to clash in a highly competitive field.
Never So Brave arrives as the clear favorite, boasting the most impressive recent form. The Andrew Balding‑trained gelding enjoyed a stellar 2023 campaign, capturing the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, then adding the Summer Mile to his résumé before capping the season with a victory in the City of York. Although he has not yet taken the winner’s circle this year, he has remained in top‑class company, most recently finishing respectably in the Sussex Stakes. The betting public is expected to back him heavily, reflecting his proven ability at the highest level.
Coppull, by contrast, is still relatively lightly raced but has shown a glimpse of real class. His best performance to date came in the July Cup, where he surged to a hard‑fought fourth place out of eleven runners, narrowly missing a place. Today he will attempt his first run over seven furlongs, stepping up in distance for the Hungerford Stakes.
The move could suit him, and he may yet improve beyond what his limited record suggests. Also stepping up in trip is Symbol Of Honour, who has not contested this distance since his three‑year‑old debut. The horse has a solid record at Newbury, having won both of his previous starts there, most notably the Group Three Hackwood Stakes.
The combination of a proven Newbury pedigree and a fresh distance could make him a genuine factor in the race. William Haggas enters the field with Extremely Zain, who entered the International Handicap at Ascot unbeaten and was the short‑priced favourite to extend his winning streak. Although he could only manage fourth place on that occasion, he remains largely unexposed at this level and could use the Hungerford Stakes to take another step forward. Dubai Honour, another Haggas‑trained gelding, opens the day’s Newbury card in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes.
The horse has been a reliable performer for his connections, tallying twelve wins from thirty‑seven starts, including four Group One victories and earnings exceeding £5 million. His most recent appearance was a credible fourth in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April. Mount Atlas and Tabletalk will meet for the fourth time, continuing a rivalry that has produced close finishes. Mount Atlas has prevailed in two of the three previous meetings, though he will be carrying three pounds more than Tabletalk in today’s contest.
Their last encounter was a thrilling duel in the John Smith’s Silver Cup, where Atlas edged out his rival. Gamrai is still untested after narrowly missing the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot. Since then he has transferred from John & Thady Gosden to George Scott at Victorious Forever, a change that could unlock further improvement.
Rebel Rocket is the sole three‑year‑old in the field and will be making his first attempt at the longer distance on his fourth start. His most recent run was a sixth‑place finish in the Derby, and he will be watched closely as a potential up‑and‑coming talent. The day also includes a lively contest for the William Hill/MND Association Great St Wilfrid Handicap, featuring Fast Track Harry, Lord Roxby and Dark Cloud Rising. Clive Cox, who has only entered a second runner in this race in the past five years, may have a winning chance with Fast Track Harry.
The horse recently produced a strong performance behind Amazing Journey, who went on to win the International Handicap on King George Day. Having already succeeded over the 95‑pound mark, Fast Track Harry is regarded as a genuine threat. Lord Roxby comes into the race after a successful campaign over similar course and distance, having convincingly defeated Dark Cloud Rising in a previous meeting.
Both horses have solid credentials, but Lord Roxby enjoys a four‑pound advantage in the weights and will be looking to add a fourth victory in this prestigious handicap for trainer David O’Meara. In addition to the Newbury action, the card features a host of other noteworthy races. At 12:45, Deauville will host the Group Two Prix Alec Head, where Rabbit’s Foot returns after a break since June, having previously beaten recent Group One performer Tiffany.
The early afternoon sees the Group Two Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville, a clash between Daryzan and Montreal that promises intrigue. Ripon will stage a Restricted Class Two novice race at 1:45, offering a £15,462 prize to the winner.
Later, at 2:35, Newbury will feature an unexposed contender, Scoville, who has been dropped two pounds for a valuable contest. At 2:55, Ripon’s Silver Cup will see Go Vince Go take on Educating Rita. The evening continues with a Group Three Prix de Lieurey at Deauville (3:25), featuring Narissa, The Prettiest Star and Esna, followed by a Newbury race (3:42) where Arabian Force, Sea The Casper and a half‑brother of Golden Story will make their debuts.
Ralph Beckett will send Swiped, a hat‑trick seeker, to Ripon at 3:55. The Deauville Group Three Prix Gontaut‑Biron at 4:00 will pit Leffard and Cualificar against Map Of Stars, Wimbledon Hawkeye and First Look. Finally, the day concludes with the Grade One Christophe Clement Turf Stakes at Saratoga (10:06), where Ancient Egypt and Survie will square off.
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