Hungerford Stakes 2011

3.40 Newbury

CGA Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) (Str) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)
Winner £45,368

Pick: Excelebration (win)

Delegator: Not long ago since he was taking big hand in high class mile races, and shaped as if ability was there last season before injury (bruised foot) intervened; Made successful return to sprinting when mowing down field in Duke Of York Stakes; Bettered that form when unlucky in July Cup, doing best of those drawn wide (he was 17 of 17) and if he’s over his injury in the Lennox Stakes, he shoud go close.

Balthazaar’s Gift: Can really run over 7f when in the mood, as he showed when landing 2010 Park Stakes; Not been at best of late and hard to judge how up for this he’ll be; Others taken over him in the circumstances.

Beacon Lodge: Only made it to track three times last season but performed admirably in good races & at best when winning listed event with something to spare on return; Good runs on 4 occasions since but this might be too tough.

Ceremonial Jade: Useful in own right but presumably in to play some supporting role for Excelebration.

Doncaster Rover: Well beaten in series of top races last season but more like it the last thrice, placed in decent events; More still needed and this probably too good for him based on last run.

Musir: Has been at his best for the past year, winning pair of valuable 10 furlong events at the Dubai Carnival before then proving to be one of many unsuited by slow pace in Dubai World Cup; Cracking run in Sha Tin last time and if tuned up/handling drop back to 7f, thn one of the main threats.

Palace Moon: Rose through the handicap ranks in 2009/10 but has not shown any form stepped up to pattern company and this too hard for him.

The Cheka: Went some way to finding best form and recouping earlier promise when winning Group 3 at Haydock in May but below best since at Newmarket and the Curragh; Others more progressive.

Dever Dream: Failed to show her progression on first two starts this season (found trouble in running) but much more like it when good seconds the last twice, latter from tough draw; Needs to find another level though.

Excelebration: Impressed as 2yo, coming clear of fair fields at Doncaster and Newmarket in good style; Even better as 3yo, pushing Frankel closest when second in Greenham and a wide winner of German 2,000 Guineas; Ran another big race when close to Frankel in St James’s Palace (well ahead of Dubawi Gold) ; If repeating that form then the one to beat.

Dubawi Gold: Didn't look up to competing with the best on a number of occasions last season but impressed with style of his two wins this season, cutting down decent field and then putting race to be a furlong out, both in Listed company at Lingfield (7f); Career best when second in 2,000 Guineas to Frankel, and seen by many as unlucky not to win Irish Guineas latest (given lot to do to catch Roderic O’Connor); Just how big a part hold up tactics played in those efforts was shown when he was a well beaten sixth (raced close to a very hot pace) but should do better here.

Perfect Tribute: Took form to a new level when she broke track records at Ascot and Lingfield this season but has run poorly the last twice, with no real reason for Goodwood flop; Others preferred.

VERDICT: A solid renewal. Once again the older brigade look strong but Delegator has a penalty along with a poor run to put behind him while this is Musir’s first run for a while, having also been dropped in trip. EXCLEBRATION has proved hugely progressive and sets a high standard on his third at Royal Ascot last time. Dubawi Gold raced too hard too early that day and will get closer but the selection can hold the form.