The Hungerford Stakes, run over 7 furlongs at Newbury, was upgraded to Group 2 status in 2006 and, in the last 10 years, has produced just two winning favourites, although seven winners in that period were returned at single-figure prices. This year’s renewal is competitive enough, with 14 runners set to line up on Saturday, but ante post favourite Home Of The Brave (9/4) looks to have an outstanding chance of making it three wins from four starts this season.
Hugo Palmer’s 4-year-old made all, or most, of the running when winning the Listed King Richard III Stakes at Leicester in April and the Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock in May and only gave best in the hundred yards when going down by 1¾ lengths to Dutch Connection in the Group Lennox Stakes on his most recent outing at Goodwood last month. The winner subsequently ran creditably in defeat when fifth of 15, beaten 2 lengths, in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last Sunday and Home Of The Brave sets a decent standard. An immature, lightly framed type, he appears much stronger this year and can keep up the good work.
Selection: Newbury 4.10 Home Of The Brave (9/4) to win