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15:40 Newbury
A true cavalry charge with twenty two runners set to go to post for the 30th renewal of the Super Sprint, which on paper looks likely to be a match up between Eve Johnson-Houghton's Chipotle and Richard Fahey's Vintage Clarets. The former looked more forward when winning the Brocklesbury on debut and was a ready winner of the Windsor Castle Stakes when last seen, taking his tally to three wins from four career runs, and as such arrives here as the highest rated horse in the field. The drying ground will suit and coming from stall 20 is also a plus given eight of the last nine renewals have seen the winner come from stall 13 or higher, however the recent stable form would have to be a concern.
Vintage Clarets could only manage fourth in the Brocklesby but has since followed up with two solid victories at Beverley and Ayr, before another excellent run when third in the Coventry at Royal Ascot when last seen. He was ridden to lead at the five furlong point and only lost second close home so the drop back to the minimum trip looks a positive, as is the fact that his trainer has won this race three times since 2013. The form of his races looks stronger than that of Chipotle and for me that gives him the edge here.
Most winners of this race have had at least two prior runs, however Temple Meads emerged victorious on the back of just one previous outing in 2010 and given the Hannon stable have won three of the last seven renewals it would be dangerous to overlook their main runner Gubbass who won well on debut at Leicester in April. This is a marked step up in grade but he fits in to the 'could be anything' category and the third from that Leicester race won his next two so the form looks decent.
Richard Hannon also runs Symphony Perfect who won well under Hayley Turner at Bath last month, while Hollie Doyle returns to the saddle on Sienna Bonnie and both could be capable of sneaking a place at bigger odds.
VINTAGE CLARETS (WIN)
written by Dean Kilbryde