Newbury preview: Hungerford Stakes (15.45)
Published:Here Comes When ran a stormer last time out and, with underfoot conditions to suit, can get back on the winning trail in the the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury (15.45).
The Andrew Balding trained gelding was dual Group 2 winner last season, scoring on soft ground at Baden-baden in Germany before storming to success in the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket under similar conditions.
Her Comes When showed a cracking turn of foot in the latter to win going away by a length from Cable Bay, and has gone on to run well in some top class races this season.
They include a fine 2 3/4 length sixth of 16 to Night Of Thunder in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at this venue, and an excellent fourth to Solow last time out in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The form of those races reads very well in the context of this contest, and Here Comes When now gets the cut underfoot that he relishes for the first time since when last successful.
It makes the son of Danehill Dancer the one to beat, especially now eased in grade.
Breton Rock finished one place and four lengths behind Here Comes when in the Lockinge Stakes and looks a big player on the pick of his form.
The David Simcock trained gelding is an ultra-consistent sort who has an impressive strike rate having won seven of his 16 starts.
They include a short-head success in this contest 12 months ago where the five-year-old battled on bravely to beat Gregorian by a short-head.
Breton Rock rounded off the campaign with a solid third in another Group 2 contest at Newmarket and, although slightly disappointing last time out at Haydock when just seventh of 13 to Cable Bay, it would be no surprise to see the son of Bahamian Bounty bounce back on ground which holds no fears.
Coral’s top tip: Here Comes When can hold off Breton Rock to land this one.