Keith Melrose says a deep Hungerford field shows seven furlongs is all the rage

3.35 Newbury
Unibet Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

There is a distinct sense that the seven-furlong division is coming of age. Too Darn Hot and Pinatubo have used the trip to relaunch their careers in the last two seasons and Space Blues graduated from winning the Lennox to defeating the best sprinters in last week's Prix Maurice de Gheest.

The Hungerford Stakes has often been used as the main British qualifier for the sole open-age Group 1 over the trip in Europe, the Prix de La Foret on Arc weekend. It might still hold that position, but what strikes on looking at this year's field is that, despite the big names being talked about for Longchamp, so many are willing to try.

It used to be that seven-furlong races were for failed milers. This field has more in the way of crowded-out sprinters; failed seems too strong a word for Dream Of Dreams, who has been beaten by only a head in each of the last two runnings of the Diamond Jubilee.

The bare facts of his Racing Post in-running comments for those two races – "not quite get to winner" and "just failed" – promise more for this longer trip. His pedigree is also promising: it is speedy, but not prohibitively so, and full-brother Canedlisa was third in the 2017 Spring Mile.

He was also second in this race two years ago, behind Sir Dancealot. He would be a better horse than that one, so the performance is not irrefutable proof of stamina. It does add more weight to what is already pretty considerable circumstantial evidence, so the overwhelming likelihood is he will stay.

Pierre Lapin strikes in last season's Mill Reef Stakes at NewburyCredit: Mark Cranham

Dream Of Dreams skipped the July Cup, in which Threat and Namos finished down the field. The former shapes like he could well be the sort of horse that ends up at seven furlongs by falling through the gaps between sprints and a mile. Even so, neither run this season has immediately promised a return to his smart two-year-old form. He shares that situation with Pierre Lapin, who looked just as exciting last season.

Namos warrants further discussion. He was taken off his feet in the July Cup but kept on well enough and his most recent Group win in his native Germany came over this trip. The way he races suggests seven furlongs is more his trip, so it would be rash to disregard him as tilting at windmills purely based on Newmarket.

Half of the field are three-year-olds, which gives the race an unexpectedly fresh look. Pierre Lapin and Threat have been touched upon already and Lincoln Bright has a lot on, although he seems to have plenty of speed. His conqueror last time, Surf Dancer, needs another jump forward and his current odds do not have that sort of room for manoeuvre. Symbolize was behind both at York, but seemed not to be suited by the way things panned out and is better judged on his Jersey third, which is still quite a bit off the required standard.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Glorious Journey
He has a penalty for his win in this race last year, but it looks as though the ground will play to his strengths again. He was very fresh in the Lennox Stakes, but came out of it well and looks in good order now. He has to give weight all round, but we feel he can run a big race again.

David Menuisier, trainer of History Writer
He ran very well in the Lennox at Goodwood. He was hampered in the last furlong there and the ground wasn’t ideal for him. The more it rains before the Hungerford the better his chance will be.

Roger Varian, trainer of Pierre Lapin
There were green shoots of a recovery from him last time at Goodwood where he ran better than his finishing position suggested. We know he likes Newbury so hopefully he can get back on track.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Threat
I don’t think he ran too badly in the July Cup last time where he was close to the pace before getting short of room at a crucial stage. I’m not saying he would have won, but maybe he’d have finished a bit closer. We aren’t ruling out sprint trips again, but seven furlongs could be his optimum and, on what he shows at home, I have no doubt the raw ability and talent is still there. I’m pretty hopeful he can run a much better race here. Pat [Dobbs] has ridden him in plenty of work so knows the horse well, it’s D-day for him, really.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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