CGA Hungerford Stakes betting and odds

Four previous course and distance winners will line up in the field of twelve runners for Saturday’s feature race at Newbury – the CGA Hungerford Stakes, writes Mikey Mumford. A straight seven furlongs is the trip for this Group 2 event where British and Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Dubawi Gold currently clings on to favouritism. Marco Botti’s Excelebration, winner of the German 2000 Guineas and Aussie Sprinter Musir rate the main dangers for a share of the £100,000 prize money.

Newbury Hungerford Stakes odds

Delegator: Made little or no impression in his last two runs albeit in stronger company than he will face today. Godolphin’s representative was last of nine in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time; held by many of the rivals he will face here. Undoubtedly has the class he showed in the Duke of York on his reappearance run this year and should do better eased slightly in grade.

Balthaazar’s Gift: Since winning this in 2009 he’s won only once which came at the back end of last year at Doncaster. Been handed some tough tests and was probably punching above his weight the last twice but connections like to aim for this race and he could surprise a few. Gets on with the ground and the distance and will appreciate the drop in grade; could get competitive.

Beacon Lodge: Won on his reappearance this year over 7f at Haydock in May but struggled at the dame course next time where he was well held by The Cheka. Ran a couple of crackers in defeat the last twice though, reversing that form with The Cheka on his penultimate run to finish third and another placed effort at Goodwood left a lot to be desired. Has the ability and would be a surprise if he couldn’t get in the top three here; tends to run on well.

Doncaster Rover Largely consistent sort who was just held by Genki three runs back and stayed on the last twice without being able to challenge for trainer David Brown. Yet to win over 7f but has won over slightly shorter and should give his usual sound running but nagging doubts he may well be vulnerable to an improver.

Musir: Having his first run on British soil but this Aussie sprinter was a decent second behind the useful Twice Over in Meydan in March. Mike De Cock’s runner has been off the track since March and worryingly he has been the beaten favourite on his last two runs but strong chances if taking to Newbury and the straight 7f.

The Cheka: He was rather poor when beaten at 4/5 at the Curragh latest finding no extra 1f out. That was on ground described as yielding though and showed he was much a better horse at Haydock on good to firm in May. Eve Johnson Houghton’s yard are in fair form and would be no surprise to see him bounce back to form in this company.

Dever Dream: A couple of seconds at Goodwood and York were improvements on this filly’s Windsor Forest tenth earlier this year. She’s done most of her winning on good and on good to firm so would want the rain to hold out. William Haggas’ runner has won over this trip albeit in weaker company but can make her presence felt today.

Excelebration: The nature of his four length defeat to Frankel in the Greenham in April was franked with his superb win in the German 2000 Guineas. Was a fair third in the St James’ Palace at Ascot stepped up to a mile but has won over 6f and can’t see the extra furlong inconveniencing him here. Marco Botti’s challenger should go very well and has serious claims here.

Dubawi Gold: Started 2011 with a couple if wins on the all-weather for Richard Hannon before a staying-on second in the 2000 Guineas behind runaway winner Frankel. He had to settle for second best in the Irish 2000 Guineas next time despite being sent off market leader under Richard Hughes and made no impression in the St James’ Palace at Royal Ascot weakening into sixth. He’s a lot better than that form suggests though and should be thereabouts under a patient Hughes ride.

A real competitive renewal where it is proving hard to separate those at the head of the market; Delegator can put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him and go well here for Frankie. Similarly, The Cheka is better than her odds on defeat last time but it could be a toss-up between Dubawi Gold and EXCELEBRATION who have both run good races behind wonderhorse Frankel in the past. Slight preference is for Marco Botti’s runner after his excellent German 2000 Guineas victory. [Mikey Mumford]

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