The Tin Man bids to make most of drop in class in search of second Hackwood

3.00 Newbury
bet365 Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV3/RTV

The Tin Man won the Hackwood Stakes three years ago and has an outstanding chance to bag the Group 3 prize again as last year's Sprint Cup winner does not have to carry a penalty.

Some trainers will be fretting about the forecast rain at Newbury, but not James Fanshawe as his star sprinter sluiced through testing conditions to win the third Group 1 of his career at Haydock last September and is effective on a variety of going.

The Tin Man may be seven but he has shown he retains plenty of ability with two creditable runs this season, including when finishing four and a half lengths behind Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Fanshawe said: "He won this three years ago and ran well at Ascot last time – we've done some stalls work with him as he was a bit slowly away. This is a step down in class, he doesn't have to carry a penalty and he seems in good form."

There are a quartet of three-year-olds among the ten runners, including Khaadem, who failed to fire when seventh in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot but made a taking impression when beating the reopposing Oxted over this course-and-distance in May.

Khaadem: impressive winner on his penultimate startCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Trainer Charlie Hills, who has won two of the last four runnings of this race, said: "We were disappointed at Ascot as he ran flat but he returned a dirty scope. He has been working well, has won at this course and is more unexposed than most of these so there could be more to come."

Snazzy Jazzy, who dead-heated in a Listed event at Salisbury last time, and the Group 1-placed Donjuan Triumphant also feature.

Fellowes confident of another bold show from Newcastle winner Carnwennan

Carnwennan faces his stiffest task in the £100,000 Marsh Cup (2.25) but trainer Charlie Fellowes is optimistic it is one the progressive stayer can pass.

The rapidly improving four-year-old has been bumped up 7lb in the weights for his impressive three-and-a-half-length win in the Northumberland Plate consolation race but there could be more to come as he bids for a fourth consecutive win.

Carnwennan: seeking a four-timer at NewburyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The trainer said: "I'm not sure he came out of third gear last time and a 7lb rise seems very fair. This is another step up in grade, the toughest race he has ever contested, but he's progressive and I hope still ahead of his mark."

Carnwennan's last two victories were on artificial surfaces but Fellowes, who is on course to post a career-best tally this season, has no doubt Carnwennan will prove just as effective on turf.

He added: "Carnwennan will have no problem reverting to turf as he was impressive at York."

Also arriving on the back of a notable victory is The Grand Visir, who showed a likeable attitude to land the Ascot Stakes and provide trainer Ian Williams with a first winner at the royal meeting.

That success was achieved over two and a half miles but Williams, who also runs Reshoun, is confident this sharper test will not pose a problem.

He said: "The Grand Visir drops in trip but is effective over 1m6f and the more rain that falls the better. It's a big ask under such a big weight but it's a great prize. Reshoun disappointed at Newmarket and will need to see the benefit of a wind operation."

In contrast to Carnwennan and The Grand Visir, last year's Northumberland Plate winner Withhold has a point to prove having burst a blood vessel in the Geelong Cup on his final start last year, and he missed his intended return at Newcastle due to a low-grade lung infection.

Fox Chairman looks for change of luck

Fox Chairman went into plenty of notebooks when scoring by four lengths here on debut but the son of Kingman has had no luck at all in two starts since and looks to return to winning ways in the opening 1m2f bet365 Stakes (1.50).

He endured trouble in running when third in the Dee Stakes at Chester and was also hampered in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot, although he kept on well to finish second to Sangarius.

Fox Chairman: impressive debut winner at NewburyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Andrew Balding said: "He's taking on older horses for the first time but he should go well. He was a bit unlucky at Ascot and would have finished closer to Sangarius with a clear run. Pondus looks a very good horse but I'm happy with Fox Chairman who won nicely at the track on his debut and is in good shape."

Pondus was well beaten when sixth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot but he raced keenly and chased an overly strong pace and looks bounce back and confirm the promise of his novice wins at Nottingham and Sandown.

Fanshawe said: "He was very progressive over 1m2f prior to Royal Ascot so we're dropping back in trip and putting a line through his run in the King Edward VII."

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