Richard Hannon: Chindit has lots of pace - this is a lot easier than the Sussex

BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Pogo and Chindit set a high, but perhaps not unbreachable, standard for this fiercely competitive Hungerford Stakes.

Front-running Pogo holds the highest official rating of 115 in the ten-strong field, 2lb superior to Chindit, who has to concede him 3lb.

Pogo’s chance is there for all to see, and he’ll line up on the back of three excellent runs over this trip this summer.

His two victories at Haydock and Newmarket were achieved in Group 3 company, while he arguably matched those performances with a close third to Sandrine and Kinross last time out in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

In a nutshell, he is a talented six-year-old who will line up at the top of his game, and is likely to adopt his customary catch-me-if-you-can tactics on the fast ground which suits him so well.

He has yet to win a Group 2, though, after eight attempts in Britain or abroad, and doesn’t appear overpriced at 7-2.

The thoroughly likeable Chindit may appear to have it all to do on paper with Pogo, but races aren’t won on paper and this dual Group 2 scorer seems sure to run another huge race.

His head defeat of Mutasaabeq in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot two outings ago was arguably the best performance of his career, and the drop back to seven furlongs is certainly no negative.

After all, four of his six wins have been at the shorter trip, including the Group 3 Greenham Stakes last year.

Lightly raced three-year-old Tiber Flow, who heads the market at 3-1, is open to further improvement on just his seventh start.

The son of Caravaggio couldn’t cope with Perfect Power in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs at Royal Ascot, but promises to be suited by this step back up in trip in less exalted company.

His stable won this £100,000 prize with another three-year-old, Sacred, 12 months ago, who went to post with an official rating of 108.

Dubai Poet: his odds of 12-1 appear generousCredit: Edward Whitaker

The William Haggas-trained Tiber Flow is rated 107, and could be capable of bettering that figure on a track where he won the Listed Carnarvon Stakes in May.

Fellow Newmarket-based three-year-old Dubai Poet recorded a career-best when dropped back to this trip in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Roger Varian’s course-and-distance winner has an official rating of 109, remains open to more progress on just his eighth start, and odds of 12-1 appear generous.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Richard Hannon, trainer of Chindit and Happy Romance
This is a lot easier than the Sussex Stakes for Chindit, and he’s run well at Newbury before, including in the Lockinge and when winning the Greenham. The step down in trip won’t be a problem because he still has lots of pace and a great turn of foot so, if anything, it’s a positive. Perhaps Happy Romance is just starting to lack that bit of raw speed, so I’m hoping the step back up to seven furlongs might help. All her work at home has been good and she’s moving very well. I wouldn’t discount her on a track she’s won twice at before.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Jumby
He did run a bit flat at Ascot last time but there's no reason he won't bounce back. That’s the only bad race he's run and it's quite nice he's not taking on 20 other horses in a big melee of a handicap. I think they'll go a good gallop, which he can sit off. He'll either be good enough or he won't.

Henry Candy, trainer of Run To Freedom
The horse is well. I think seven furlongs on quick ground will suit him, and hopefully he can justify his place in the field. I think he can.

Ed Walker, trainer of Primo Bacio
She’s in good form. We’ve always held her in high regard. She’ll need to be back to her best to win the Hungerford, but I see no reason why she won’t be. The fast ground and flat track suits her. She ran very well in the Fred Darling last year.

Andrea Atzeni, rider of Dubai Poet
I thought his Jersey run was a good one and I think between seven furlongs and a mile is his best trip. The stiff seven at Ascot suited and, while this is an easy seven, it's a good option and he's won at the track. It looks competitive and he might have some upside and improvement against the older horses like Chindit and Pogo, who are solid and pretty good on their day. I'm hoping he's come on since the Jersey.

William Haggas, trainer of Tiber Flow
He’s fine. We think the step back up in trip will suit him. I don’t like the draw much, but at least he’s next to Pogo [front-runner], which is good.

Clive Cox, trainer of Wings Of War
It’s a quick turnaround after his run in Ireland last weekend. He’s come home very well, and I’m looking forward to stepping him up to seven furlongs.
Reporting by Richard Birch

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1.55 Newbury: 'I'll be disappointed if he doesn't win' - which trainer is ultra-confident?

2.30 Newbury: Zechariah takes on his seniors in trial for St Leger in staying feature

2.50 Ripon: Who has the luck of the draw this time in the Great St Wilfrid?

3.18 Newmarket: Who doesn't love a grey? Trainer quotes for the Grey Horse Handicap

4.05 Curragh: O'Brien warns Luxembourg will 'improve plenty' for comeback run after injury

4.40 Curragh: Irish St Leger and Melbourne Cup clues as Search For A Song and Raise You clash

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