The Hungerford lowdown as Breeze bids to blow them away

3.35 Newbury
Betfred Hungerford Stakes | Gr2 | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RUK

Big things are expected of Librisa Breeze this season, and one gets the impression a huge run is just around the corner when he finally enjoys the rub of the green.

Little has gone his way in two starts this year – when fourth to The Tin Man in Ascot’s Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes and then ninth behind Breton Rock in Goodwood’s Group 2 Lennox Stakes – but there is little doubting the five-year-old’s ability.

Dean Ivory, who this week sent out his 400th career winner – 398 of them on the Flat – said: “Librisa Breeze is a good horse and hopefully can now win the big race that has so far eluded him.

“Granted a bit of luck we could have already had a Group 1 win under our belt, but things just haven’t gone his way in the big races so far.

“We’ve always liked the horse, and the track should suit him. I’m looking forward to running him. I’m excited.”

Can Breton Rock repeat Goodwood heroics?

Breton Rock made a mockery of his 50-1 odds when landing the Lennox Stakes this month by half a length from Home Of The Brave.

A 3lb penalty makes life tough, but the manner in which he swept down the outside to overhaul better-fancied opposition on the Sussex Downs means it would be foolish to dismiss him.

Trainer David Simcock said: “He won the race three years ago but might be up against it this time with his penalty.

“He's come out of Goodwood very well, though, and is following the usual route to his autumn targets.

“It’s a very competitive race, but I’m sure he’ll run well.”

Will Kaspersky prove as effective over shorter trip?

Jane Chapple-Hyam’s six-year-old Kaspersky arguably produced a career-best effort to finish a gallant three-length second to Queen Anne Stakes runner-up Mutakayyef in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot last month.

However, that came over a mile and, while a visual interpretation of that latest performance suggests the step down to seven furlongs may suit him, it will be the first time he has tackled a distance short of a mile in 23 career starts.

What they say

Charlie Hills, trainer of Ibn Malik
It was a disappointing run from him last time after he had shaped encouragingly on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket. The trip is ideal but he'll have to be at his best.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Massaat
It'll be nice to get him back on the track. It was a year on Thursday that he last ran, in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury. We found a problem after he disappointed that day and he had a chip removed out of a joint. He then injured himself again, which was frustrating, and it’s been a long road back. He looks well and has pleased me in his work but is a hard horse to get fit and he’ll come on for the run. It’s a nice starting point.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Poet’s Vanity
She disappointed in the Guineas but ran a fair race at Haydock last time and goes to Newbury in fine fettle. The ground is an unknown as all her form is on a fast surface.

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