Betfred Hungerford Stakes
Group 2, Newbury 16:10 £150,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 1
Saturday 13th August 2016

1 Richard Pankhurst 11/1
2 Home Of The Brave 7/4F
3 Dark Emerald 10/1
NR: Golden Steps (FR)
6 ran Distances: 1l, ¾l, ¾l
TIME 1m 24.43s (slow by 1.93s)

Richard Pankhurst gets Hungerford Stakes verdict

Richard Pankhurst

Richard Pankhurst had been earmarked as a potential Classic contender following an impressive win in the 2014 Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but the John Gosden-trained four-year-old missed the majority of last season through injury and failed to shine in two starts over a mile so far this year.

Sent off the 11/1 outsider of six, Richard Pankhurst travelled well for Robert Havlin throughout the seven-furlong contest and ran on strongly to beat 7/4 favourite Home Of The Brave by a length.

Havlin reported afterwards: "Richard Pankhurst has always shown a high level of ability at home. He has such a devastating turn of foot but has had niggling problems through his career and maybe lacked a bit of confidence as a result.

"William Buick rode him in the Chesham Stakes on his second run when he was still a maiden and he just demolished the field. He has shown something of that ability today.

"We expected a lot more from Richard Pankhurst in his first two runs this year because his homework was very good but it has just taken time. He has not had hard races but has just not been putting it together.

"I think a small field and a straight track suits him well, where you can get him organised and sit quiet on him, while he loves fast ground as well. As he grows in confidence, hopefully more options will be open to him."

Khalid Abdullah, Sir Michael Stoute and Pat Smullen combined for a 21/1 double on the card including even-money favourite Kings Fete, who recorded a second consecutive G3 success with an all-the-way victory in the £60,000 Betfred Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

Betfred Hungerford Stakes
£150,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm