Happy again? Romance out to win consecutive runnings of Group 3 Hackwood Stakes

Saturday: 2.56 Newbury
bet365 Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Since the establishment of British Champions Day, the Hackwood Stakes has forged a close link with the big end-of-season meeting. The Diadem became the Champions Sprint in 2011, and since then four of its 11 winners had run in the same season’s Hackwood.

Two did the double, Deacon Blues in 2011 and The Tin Man five years later, but Maarek and Donjuan Triumphant were only third and fourth respectively in this race.

Happy Romance is out to win on this card for the third straight year, as she took the Super Sprint as a juvenile, but her level is established now and it leaves room for progressive sorts to go past her.

The problem for punters is finding such horses in this field. Minzaal and Man Of Promise are only weak qualifiers, having unfinished business rather than being straightforward improvers. Diligent Harry qualifies along similar lines and, like Man Of Promise, would provide a more interesting experiment over five furlongs rather than six.

The opposite applies to Saint Lawrence, who steps up from the minimum trip and could well improve. Admittedly, he will need to.

It may be worth taking a chance on Great Ambassador, who fits the progressive profile better than most. This time last year he started a burst of improvement that culminated in a Group 3-standard performance in the Ayr Gold Cup.

The RPR he recorded that day (116) is more than 1lb higher than the ten-year standard of the Hackwood winner, and his only run since comes with ready excuses. He was last in the Platinum Jubilee, when shaping as though in need of the run. His Ayr form gives him claims just as strong as Happy Romance's and, acknowledging the latter's record on this card, his profile is more in keeping with how the Hackwood Stakes fits into the modern six-furlong diet.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Man 'in great order'

Man Of Promise, who looked set to sweep all before him when winning a Group 3 over this trip at Meydan in March, bids to give trainer Charlie Appleby his first Hackwood Stakes winner.

The five-year-old finished third when sent off favourite for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, and was eighth in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot.

Man Of Promise is back at six furlongs here and has plenty in his favour, although he does have a 3lb penalty to overcome.

Appleby said: “Man Of Promise has come out of Royal Ascot well. This race looks a good opportunity for him to get his head back in front and I feel he's going there in great order."

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Diligent Harry
He ran well at Royal Ascot off an enforced break to have a sinus operation. Hopefully that was a step in the right direction and fingers crossed he can step up on that in a race in which he finished second a year ago.

Ed Walker, trainer of Great Ambassador
I asked him a stiff question by pitching him into a red-hot Platinum Jubilee on his first run of the year. When a horse runs as he did [finished last of 24] I like to get their confidence back. The main hope is that he leaves Ascot behind him.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Shadwell Estate, owners of Minzaal
He was a bit keen early last time when he didn’t finish off his race, but he’s come out of that in good form and we expect a good showing down in class.

Kieran Shoemark, rider of Royal Commando
He didn’t go a yard at Ascot last time when I thought he'd run a big race. He’s quite lightly raced so hopefully he can bounce back.

Roger Varian, trainer of Saint Lawrence
He runs well in these sort of races and has a good record at Newbury. He likes top of the ground so may well outrun his odds.

Emily Scott, racing manager to Amo Racing, joint-owners of Go Bears Go
We thought he’d run a big race at Royal Ascot last time but he was a bit flat. Hopefully he can bounce back.

Alastair Donald, spokesman for King Power Racing, owners of Chil Chil
She goes well fresh and likes fast ground. I’m surprised she’s such a big price having finished third in a Group 1 last year.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Happy Romance
She ran in the July Cup a week ago where she was drawn on the stands’ side and all the action was on the far rail. She’s come out of that in good shape and won this race a year ago.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.50 Newbury: Cadillac could be in the driving seat now De Foy has got to work on him

2.35 Curragh: 'She has a perfect draw and is in serious order' - who likes their Scurry hope?

3.10 Curragh: Mooneista 'better than last year' as she bids for Sapphire follow-up

3.14 Market Rasen: 'I can't separate them' - Bowen saddles two as he eyes an eighth Summer Plate

3.30 Newbury: 'She's an exciting prospect' - Super Sprint trainer quotes and analysis

3.45 Curragh: Jessica Harrington and Aidan O'Brien on their Irish Oaks contenders

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