Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Bubble looks the pick
CHRIS Wall’s decision to head to Newbury with Double Or Bubble can pay dividends in the Group Two Hungerford Stakes.
The Newmarket handler had the option of tackling last week’s Prix Maurice de Gheest or waiting for York next week, but he identified this seven-furlong affair as the likely best option – and so it can prove.
Double Or Bubble is certainly not looking at a penalty kick here, with favourite Tiber Flow among others an incredibly worthy adversary, but the six-year-old has plenty in her favour after being set some stiff sprinting tests so far this term.
The form of her initial Abernant success over Garrus in April has worked out nicely, with the runnerup winning a Group Three and placing third at Deauville, while a handful of others in behind have been punching their weight too.
Wall tried Group One company with Double Or Bubble and after finishing down the field in the Platinum Jubilee, she was a decent fifth in the July Cup, beaten just under four lengths.
Moving back up to seven furlongs looks the right call now, having posted some decent efforts over the distance in the past, most notably when beaten just a neck by Maurice de Gheest winner Highfield Princess over the distance last year.
Elsewhere on the Newbury card, Zechariah can use his weight advantage to the full in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes.
He kicked off the year by finishing last in both the Craven Stakes and Lingfield Derby Trial, but fortunes somewhat turned around when narrowly denied in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.
The Nathaniel colt disappointed in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, but it could be he did not appreciate a quick return to action and a month break could have him firing again.
Snash is the choice in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon after winning at Ayr on his most recent spin.
A 40,000 guineas recruit for Tim Easterby last autumn, he is now on a perch of 90 ande could still be underestimated in the sprint sphere.