Admirable Hukum aims for another Group 3 victory in September Stakes

Saturday: 2.40 Kempton
Unibet September Stakes (Group 3) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

There is no Enable, winner of the historic Group 3 in 2018 and 2020, this year, but there is another likely short-priced favourite in Hukum.

The Owen Burrows-trained four-year-old does not have quite as much in hand on official ratings as his starting price is likely to suggest, but he is a thoroughly likeable, progressive four-year-old who arrives at the top of his game following Group 3 wins at York and Newbury.

A three-and-a-quarter-length Geoffrey Freer Stakes defeat of Rodrigo Diaz, who was graduating from handicaps and has more stamina than speed, may not set the adrenaline flowing – particularly as he was officially rated 18lb superior to that rival going into the race – but Hukum accomplished it with the minimum of fuss.

His high cruising speed is always a potent weapon at this standard allied to a turn of foot, which could see him land races at an even higher level in due course.

Hukum is already proven on the Kempton surface, having secured a mile novice event during his juvenile days at the track, and should prove hard to beat under his 3lb penalty.

Hukum: has impressed with two more Group 3 wins this seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A September Stakes win would be his fourth at Group 3 level and he is maturing into an admirable racehorse in every way.

The lightly raced Hamish makes his seasonal reappearance with still untapped potential, having first looked a potential Group-race winner when destroying a field of useful handicappers under top weight at York in October 2019.

He has not been seen in action since finishing a most creditable fourth to Fanny Logan in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last June, but you would expect him to be ready to roll as he was a last-minute absentee from the Ebor last month owing to unsuitable ground.

Hamish has yet to encounter an all-weather surface under race conditions and his best form on turf is with plenty of give in it.

Great opportunity for odds-on Hukum

Connections understandably view a five-runner September Stakes as providing an excellent opportunity for Hukum to add to his Group 3 haul.

Although he meets Outbox on 3lb worse terms than when beating him by a length and three-quarters at York, the son of Sea The Stars had a bit in hand that day and most will expect him to confirm the form.

A winner of six of his ten career starts, he still retains relatively low mileage and there is undoubtedly even more to come.

Angus Gold: 'Logistically, our plan to go for the Canadian International at Woodbine later this month won’t work out.'Credit: Laura Green

Angus Gold, racing manager to Shadwell Estate Company, owners of Hukum, said: "He's been in great form recently with Group 3 wins at Newbury and York. I thought he was impressive at Newbury – he showed a good turn of foot that day.

"Unfortunately we didn't manage to get Hukum to France last weekend owing to a minor hiccup, but this looks an obvious race for him."

He added: "Logistically, our plan to go for the Canadian International at Woodbine later this month won't work out, so I'm not sure where he'll go after Kempton."

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Hamish
He's not run for a long time and I've been trying to find him a race on soft ground. There aren't any about at the moment, though, so he'll take his chance at Kempton. He's very well, and I expect him to run a good race.

Simon Turner, racing director to Hambleton Racing, owners of Outbox
He's been freshened up since Goodwood and should enjoy the conditions. He has every chance of running very well.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Prince Of Arran
He wasn't himself when he got back from Australia. He just looked like a horse who had returned from two really hard runs. We've taken our time with him since he ran at Ascot in April and this has been the target. Just lately he has been working like the old Prince Of Arran and he's in great nick. Jamie Spencer rode him in a piece of work recently and was stunned at the difference.

Saturday's race previews:

1.45 Haydock: find out why it could be best to ignore the Superior Mile market leaders

2.20 Haydock: is Valley Forge a good thing to follow up his Melrose win?

2.55 Haydock: 'He has real quality about him' – trainers on their Old Borough Cup contenders

3.10 Ascot: they go together like salt and pepper – Graeme Rodway on racing's perfect match

3.30 Haydock: 'He's the one to beat' – can anyone stop Starman and Tom Marquand in Sprint Cup?

3.30 Haydock: Graeme Rodway on whether Starman can graduate to greatness in the Sprint Cup (Members' Club)

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