Sport

Safety can pin down a win

SAFETY CHECK is expected to thrive in the Betfred Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. A big field has been declared for the Group Two over seven furlongs, but much will depend upon how much rain they get in Berkshire.

This would be a big negative for many, but not so for the Godolphin colt, who did so well on a rain-softened surface at Goodwood a few weeks ago.

Safety Check was having a first start in Britain since having had a whale of a time in Dubai in the winter. As such, little was expected of him in the Group Two Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs, but he turned in an absolute blinding effort. Despite being burdened with a penalty, the son of Dubawi only went down by a length to the street-smart Toormore, with runner-up Dutch Connection providing the form with added credence.

Charlie Appleby’s inmate was also doing his best work at the finish, giving a firm indication there is much more to come with that run in safe-keeping. It was also reassuring that connections were quick to point towards the Hungerford as a target in the immediate aftermath of his great run in the Lennox.

Gospel Choir should be supported in the Betfred Geoffrey Freer Stakes. Last season’s Yorkshire Cup winner has already had a good campaign, winning on his return at Newmarket before finishing a close second behind subsequent Goodwood hero Big Orange in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes.

But what should set him apart from his rivals at Newbury is the step back up in trip to a mile-and-three-quarters, allied to the likelihood of slightly more forgiving terrain compared to his last two outings at Headquarters.

Dessertoflife looks well up to the task in the Denford Stud Stakes. Mark Johnston’s youngster has already shown a capable level of form at Listed level, when second to stablemate Fireglow at Sandown – a run that deserves to be upgraded after she overcame a spot of trouble in-running.

The daughter of Mastercraftsman has a little to find on the ratings with a few of these, but this looks the right race for her at this stage of her career.

Paul Midgley has already had some summer, with Another Wise Kid taken to further boost the prize-money haul by winning the William Hill Great St Wilfrid. Recent efforts do not inspire a great deal of confidence, but there is a suspicion he has been laid out for a race in which he was only beaten by a length off a 2lb higher mark 12 months ago.

IRISH NEWS YANKEE


Nap: Safety Check (3.45pm, Newbury)


Double: Gospel Choir (2.35pm, Newbury)


Treble: Dessertoflife (2pm, Newbury)


Yankee: Another Wise Kid (3.30pm, Ripon)