Adam Williams presents his prediction for the Newbury 7f (Straight) Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) horse racing event.
Back In Black has yet to win in five starts this year. He has finished second twice, including in the Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) at Newmarket, but could manage only 10th in the International Handicap (Heritage Handicap) at Ascot last time out.
The three year old filly Sukanya is the only female runner in the field and will be taking on mixed company for the first time. She began her campaign with victory in the Free Stakes (Group 3), but things have not gone her way since. She finished last in the Irish 1,000 Guineas before two sixth place finishes at Ascot, first in the Coronation Stakes (Group 1) and then against older rivals in the Valiant Stakes (Group 3).
Northern Champion has already raced seven times this season. He began the campaign with two victories in conditions races at Meydan, but then finished 10th of 11 in the Al Quoz Sprint (Group 1) at the same course. Ninth place in the Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) at Ascot was a respectable effort, and he followed that with victory in the City Plate Stakes (Listed Race). His latest run was his poorest of the year, however, as he finished 22nd in the Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap) at Goodwood. This company looks demanding for him as well.
Prince Of India came closest to victory in his five starts this season in the King Richard III Cup Handicap at Leicester, where he started as favourite but was beaten by a neck. His latest effort in the July Cup Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket was actually encouraging. He finished sixth at odds of 80/1, performing considerably better than the market had suggested.
Witness Stand underwent wind surgery after two disappointing starts at Meydan at the beginning of the year, and the procedure appears to have helped. Although he has not won in his three subsequent outings, he finished second in the Corner Stakes (Group 3), beaten by a head, before coming home third in the Lennox Stakes (Group 2) at Goodwood last time out, just a length behind the winner. Saffie Osborne takes the ride for the first time.
Extremely Zain is three and has started as favourite on all three of his outings this season. He won the first two, a novice stakes and a handicap in relatively modest company, before finishing fourth in the International Handicap at Ascot. He can still make his presence felt at this level.
Coppull won the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (Group 3), but could finish only eighth in the Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) itself. He bounced back to some extent in the July Cup Stakes last time out, finishing fourth and only a short head behind favourite Satono Reve in third. This will be his first start beyond six furlongs.
Never So Brave finished fifth on his first two starts, in the bet365 Mile (Group 2) at Sandown and the Corner Stakes (Group 3) at Epsom. He fared slightly better in the Criterion Stakes (Group 3), where he was a beaten favourite in second, before contesting the Sussex Stakes (Group 1) at Goodwood last time out. He finished sixth at a starting price of 80/1. He should fare better in this company and over this distance, although his form this year remains a concern.
Symbol Of Honour has gradually found his form this season. After two starts at Meydan, finishing fifth in the Dubai Sprint (Listed Race) and eighth in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (Group 3), he took third in the Chipchase Stakes (Group 3) on the all weather at Newcastle before returning to winning ways in the Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) at Newbury. Although he has not raced over seven furlongs for some time, that should not pose a major problem, and he is our pick to win at 9/2 with bet365.
