'We didn't see this one coming' - Hungerford joy for Jumby owners

Saturday: Newbury

The stars aligned in the Hungerford Stakes for Jumby, so much so that winning owner and West Ham fanatic David Ian got to meet Harry Redknapp after seeing his four-year-old land the feature.

Racing in claret and blue, Jumby usually contests big-field handicaps, but he had another crack at Group company here and produced a turn of foot under William Buick that suggested he firmly belonged at this level.

The Group 2 was sponsored by BetVictor, who employ former Hammers manager Redknapp as an ambassador. That gave Ian, who owns Jumby with Anthony Pye-Jeary, even more to smile about.

"Before the race I said the biggest dream would be to get the prize from Harry Redknapp," he said. "This is nuts. He was third in the Wokingham and Bunbury Cup and we thought he might have a big one in him, but we were shooting above our weight. We didn't see this one coming, but we always have a few loyalty pounds on."

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton, who also won the 1m3f maiden on the card with Suzy's Shoes, has long loved Jumby, and said: "I've always believed in him and have taken the owners on a journey, but told them not to worry because I knew he was a good horse.

"We kept going for big handicaps and kept being placed, but I wanted to win one before we went to Group class and then I thought, 'Sod it, we'll go for a Group race'. But William has always believed in this horse as well and, when you consider the type of horses William rides that makes me believe even more."

Buick was completing a double having struck in the Listed Denford Stakes on Godolphin's Victory Dance, who was trimmed to 16-1 (from 25-1) by Betfair and Paddy Power for next year's Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

Documenting delight

The biggest smile at Newbury might have belonged to Kevin Frost, whose stable stalwart Documenting obliged in the 7f handicap.

The winning trainer said: "The horse is a superstar, but you can't get too close to him because he's a villain. He'll bite and kick you, and even at the age of nine he's getting worse. He's bitten the lad, Jack Brooks, who leads him up, four times when we were trying to saddle him.

Documenting (orange colours) pounces for Kevin Frost and Jack MitchellCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"He commits to everything he does, whether it's biting you or kicking you or racing. You know he's well when he's like that and he's a Jekyll and Hyde character in that we all love him, but everybody knows not to get too lovey dovey with him because that's not him. When he's in his box that's his space and you stay out."

Classic contender

Betfair and Paddy Power went 16-1 (from 20) about Zechariah winning the Cazoo St Leger, a price his joint-trainer Freddie Meade described as fair after his victory in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

Second in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, the Nathaniel colt was then beaten in Newmarket's Bahrain Trophy, but had little trouble getting back on track here.

Zechariah and Tom Marquand are in charge in the Geoffrey FreerCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Meade, who trains with his father Martyn, said: "I think the St Leger is the plan. We'll discuss it with everyone, but we're never shy of having a pop. It's what we do it for.

"He was disappointing at Newmarket, but we ran him back too quickly after his good run at Ascot."

Owned by Aquis Farm & Manton Park, Zechariah is also entered in November's Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Pace helps Postwick

The solid pace set by Mohammed Tabti on General Lee in the 1m2f handicap thrilled Harry Eustace, whose Postwick emerged on top, although during the race he did give the Newmarket trainer cause to think he may not reel in the longtime leader.

Eustace, whose winner was ridden by Richard Kingscote, said: "I think everyone was worried two and a half furlongs out that the leader wouldn't stop, but it set up well as we wanted our lad to run at horses.

"He tried to make the running at Brighton last week and didn't run any good. We were always going to go back to hold-up tactics and the way things unfolded suited us."

Results, replays and analysis

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