'We feel this could be his turn to win' - key quotes for a hot Newbury handicap

It generally pays to be on the speed at Newbury, particularly on the straight track. Without any obvious front-runners in this, it could be a good chance for Classic to obtain an uncontested lead.

The Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old doesn’t always go from the front, but he made all on his penultimate start to land a competitive Sandown handicap and had a prominent position throughout when narrowly denied by Two Tribes in the International Stakes, form that received a significant boost in the Stewards’ Cup.

Connections will want to make this a test of stamina on his return to a flat seven furlongs on quick ground, given those recent exploits over a testing mile at Sandown and Ascot’s stiff seven.

Cracking Gold is up 3lb for a narrow defeat to Great Acclaim at Glorious Goodwood, and that form is working out, with the winner going in again in a Racing League handicap. The four-year-old has found a new lease of life for the drop back to seven furlongs and another personal best isn’t out of the question with conditions in his favour.

The 2022 winner, Documenting, is back for another crack. He was beaten less than a length behind Lethal Levi in last year’s race. He’s down to his lowest mark since 2018 and has been shaping like his turn may be near.

Another with plenty of course form is Jumby, who produced a career best over this course and distance in the 2022 Hungerford Stakes. His peak Racing Post Rating last season came in that Group 2. 

His sights have been lowered recently and a return to this venue on decent ground may help him get back into the winner's enclosure for the first time since a 2023 Group 3 success.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Cracking Gold
He ran a blinder at Goodwood and it looks as though the going will suit him. The downside of running well is he's gone up in the weights, but he's in excellent form and should run with credit.

Robert Havlin, rider of Havana Pusey
I think they were a bit disappointed with her at Goodwood last time, but she had run well previously at Newmarket when I rode her. She’s back into a handicap now so should be competitive.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Classic
He's in great nick and surely it's his turn. He ran very well last time without winning and it looks a little easier than his last assignment.

Jumby: showed some of his best form at NewburyCredit: John Grossick

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Jumby
He loves Newbury and won the Hungerford in 2022 and was third in it last year. He ran well at Newmarket last week and has come out of that in good shape. We feel this could be his turn to win.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, owners of Consolidation
He didn’t really run his race at Goodwood so we're fitting him with first-time cheekpieces to help him settle better. It looks a hot race.
Reporting by David Milnes

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