Hackwood Stakes Preview: Suedois can land sprint spoils

The Hackwood Stakes at Newbury was dominated by three-year-olds around the turn of the century, with members of the classic generation winning seven of the nine renewals between 1997 and 2005. However, the tables have turned somewhat in recent years and the victory of the Charlie Hills-trained Strath Burn in a four-runner renewal two years ago was the first for a three-year-old since the race was promoted to Group 3 level in 2006. The Tin Man restored order for the older horses last year - emulating his top-class half-brother Deacon Blues who won this race for James Fanshawe in 2011 - and The Tin Man has since struck twice at the highest level, including when leading home several of this year's Hackwood entries in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. 

Tupi fared best on that occasion, keeping on well to be beaten just three and a half lengths in sixth, seemingly back to something like the smart form he showed when landing a listed race at Doncaster in April. The race was strongly run at Ascot, however, and with the wind having moved round against the runners, the principals and Tupi were well suited by delivering their challenges from off the pace. Indeed, Tupi may have been flattered by his finishing position to some extent and there are reasons to believe that some of those that followed him home can reverse the placings here.

Perhaps the most obvious case in point is the David O'Meara-trained Suedois. The six-year-old was just a nose behind Tupi in a first-time visor at the Royal meeting and deserves extra credit having done too much too soon, racing in a close second from early on and keeping on well under the circumstances to finish as close as he did. He showed himself to be a very smart performer at the top level in 2016, finishing placed in the July Cup at Newmarket, the Sprint Cup at Haydock and the Prix de la Foret at Chantilly, and looked very much like his old self last time, having been below form on his first two starts of the current campaign. He is without a win since August 2015, but there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with his attitude, and Suedois would appear to hold obvious claims now dropped in grade (was originally entered in last weekend's July Cup).

Suedois was sent off more than three times the price of Magical Memory for the Diamond Jubilee, following the latter's encouraging effort when attempting to defend his crown in the Duke of York Stakes in May. Magical Memory shaped as if needing the run when two and a half lengths second to Tasleet (Tupi sixth, Suedois eighth) there and started at just 8/1 for the Diamond Jubilee, though he ultimately ran no sort of race on the day. He got back on track with his sights significantly lowered when winning at Haydock (by a short head from Kachy) last time, but his inconsistent profile of late hardly inspires confidence, for all that he is clear of Suedois on weight-adjusted ratings. Windfast also finished well held in the Diamond Jubilee and even his best form leaves him with plenty to find with the principals.

Koropick, on the other hand, could still have more to offer as he attempts to strike another blow for the classic generation in this six-furlong prize. He was highly tried as a juvenile, including when when four lengths fifth to The Last Lion in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in October, and proved better than ever when winning the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle (by a head from Intisaab, Perfect Pasture seventh) last time. He is more lightly-raced than most in this line-up after just eight starts, though more will likely be required to figure under a 3 lb penalty here. Intisaab shaped as if still in good form when three and three quarter lengths seventh to Harry Angel in the July Cup at Newmarket last Saturday and cannot be totally discounted if turned out quickly, while Perfect Pasture could yet be competitive at this level if bouncing back to the form he showed when winning a listed race at Windsor (Raucous fourth, Intisaab fifth) in May.

The William Haggas-trained Raucous finished third in this race 12 months ago and could attempt to better that effort following a respectable eighth in the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot, while Eqtiraan is perhaps most interesting of the remaining three-year-old entries. He produced a career-best when landing a listed race at Salisbury (by a neck from Mythmaker, Glass Office fourth) last time and remains open to more improvement after just seven starts. Perennial frontrunner Gifted Master, who is already a multiple winner at this level and escapes a penalty on his return from four months off the track, is also worthy of a mention, though he looks likely to face plenty of competition for the lead.

Recommendation:

Back Suedois to win the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday at 13/2