ITV Racing Preview: Our Hungerford Stakes picks and more

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We look over the best of Saturday’s ITV Racing card

We’re less than a week away from the York Ebor Festival, but there’s still plenty of ITV action to follow this weekend, with racing from Newbury and Newmarket.

With seven live races to watch, we’re looking ahead to our pick of the bunch, including the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes from Newbury.

NEWBURY

13:50 The Denford Stakes (Class 1) (Listed)

14:25  You’re On Handicap Stakes (Class 2)

15:00 The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Class 1) (Group 3)

15:35 The Hungerford Stakes (Class 1) (Group 2)

NEWMARKET

14:05 The Heed Your Hunch at Betway Handicap Stakes (Class 4)

14:40 The Betway Handicap Stakes (Class 3)

15:15 The Grey Horse Handicap Stakes (Class 4)

13:50 Newbury

Two exciting prospects will face off in this Listed race, with Guru perhaps a nose ahead in the betting. The John Gosden-trained colt ran smartly on his debut and is being tipped to improve in this showing.

The other prospect to watch is Dhahabi – the two-year-old won on his debut here at the back end of July and possesses excellent pedigree with plenty of potential for further improvement.

Both Jumby and Francesco Guardi are also first-time winners, while the more experienced William Bligh could be a threat if the running is easy.

15:00 Newbury

The heavily-tipped Alignak makes a step up in trip and class here but is expected to take it in his stride after losing by a short-head at Haydock in a Listed race last month. It’s hoped that a victory here will be a catalyst for further improvement in the Sir Michael Stout-trained colt.

Winner of the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, the promising Hukum could also pose a significant threat here, while Communique won twice at Group 2 level last year, though a poor run at Goodwood has tempered expectations somewhat.

The consistent Tritonic has a habit of finishing in second and could be good value for some each-way action.

15:35 Newbury

The returning Glorious Journey will be looking to defend his title after winning this last year, but faces stiff competition. A 9th-placed run on reappearing at Goodwood in July may have set him up for this race, but a better showing is required if the title is to be retained.

The aptly-named Threat struggled at Group 1 level, but is feared in this class and the trip is likely to suit, while favourite Dream of Dreams is a smart runner, who looked excellent when coming second in his Diamond Jubilee return at Royal Ascot.

Surf Dancer is another to watch, with a dominant showing in a Listed race at York last time out and he can’t be dismissed at this level.

View the latest horse racing odds.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.

 

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