Prince Of India to tackle seven furlongs in Visit Malta Hungerford
Marco Botti has opted to return Prince Of India to seven furlongs for Saturday’s Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, confident the four-year-old can handle the step up in trip. The decision follows a strong performance in the July Cup, where the colt ran competitively on his first attempt at Group One level.
Back to a trip he has shown he handles
Prince Of India finished sixth in the July Cup, producing what connections described as a career-best performance. Botti pointed out that the extra furlong in the Hungerford should suit, noting the horse’s prior success over seven furlongs as a three-year-old and his preference for fast ground. The move represents a drop in grade to Group Two after the Group One assignment at Newmarket.
Others shaping up for the feature
The field includes a number of established and improving sprinters and milers who will be expected to give a good account. Andrew Balding brings Never So Brave, who reverts to seven furlongs after finishing sixth to Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Balding reports the five-year-old gelding has come on since that run and pointed to his previous Group One success over the trip as a positive indicator.
William Haggas will saddle Extremely Zain, who was beaten for the first time in the Moet & Chandon International at Ascot but recorded a career-best effort when fourth. Jockey Tom Marquand assessed that the run at Ascot came in a slowly run big-field handicap that did not suit the colt’s profile. Despite that, Extremely Zain remains an improving type and is expected to have progressed for the outing.
Clive Cox has entered Coppull, who finished fourth in the July Cup and now steps up from six to seven furlongs for the Hungerford. Charlie Appleby’s Symbol Of Honour, fresh from success in the Hackwood Stakes, is also a notable contender, while Dr Richard Newland sends Witness Stand.
Northern Champion back up to seven
Ed Walker is hopeful that Northern Champion can recapture the form he showed in Dubai earlier in the season, where he landed a brace of wins. Walker described the pick-up as a tough, consistent animal with plenty of ability, although he acknowledged the horse is not big-striding and had been perhaps asked to do too much when dropped back to six furlongs for the Stewards’ Cup.
Walker indicated that the colt is in good order and should appreciate being stepped back up to seven furlongs on ground he will relish.
How the race shapes up
- Prince Of India makes the trip and grade change after an encouraging Group One showing.
- Never So Brave returns to seven furlongs off the back of a solid run in the Sussex Stakes.
- Extremely Zain and Symbol Of Honour represent two of the more progressive and formful contenders.
- Coppull and Witness Stand add further depth from yards with strong records in sprint-to-middle-distance contests.
The Visit Malta Hungerford frequently attracts a blend of sprinters stretching out and milers dropping back in trip, producing tactical contests where pace and ground play significant roles. With several runners having recent runs at the top level or in pattern company, connections will be seeking an ideal setup and ground to bring out their horses’ best.
All eyes will be on how Prince Of India adapts to the return over seven furlongs and whether the step down in grade can yield a prominent placing in what is a competitive Group Two affair at Newbury.
