Newbury Racecourse is delighted to announce that Unibet will once again support their two-day behind closed doors’ fixture on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. With Saturday due to be broadcast on ITV1 and Sunday on ITV4, Unibet will sponsor a total of 16 races across the weekend, including the Group 2 Unibet Hungerford Stakes for which a competitive field of 10 have been declared.

The Group 2 was moved to the seven-furlong straight course in 2002 and has seen some of the best sprinters of recent years take part, with winners including Lethal Force, as well as some great milers: Paco Boy and Excelebration.

Amongst the declarations for this year’s running is last year’s winner, Glorious Journey, the current favourite Dream of Dreams and the Roger Varian-trained Pierre Lapin, winner of the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef at Newbury last season.

Roger Varian said: “We’re looking forward to bringing Pierre Lapin back to Newbury, where I think the flat track will once again suit him. We are seeing signs at home that he’s coming back to himself and can put two poor runs this season behind him. He is just starting flourish and come to himself and the return to Newbury will spark a better performance. I definitely haven’t lost faith in the horse and would love to see him bounce back.”

Ed Nicholson, Head of Kindred Racing Sponsorship & Communications said: “As Unibet approach 1,000 sponsored races since our UK launch in 2013, we are delighted to headline Unibet Hungerford Day for a second consecutive year.

“As well as the Group 2 Unibet Hungerford Stakes, Unibet are sponsoring 5 other races on the Saturday card and 9 races on the Sunday. Glorious Journey aims to become only the second horse to win back to back wins in the race and is currently 7/1 fourth favourite while both Threat (5/1) and Pierre Lapin (9/1) are talented horses on recovery missions. Dream of Dreams heads the Unibet market at 5/2.”

Julian Thick, Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse added: “We are incredibly grateful to Unibet and all of our sponsors for their continued support of this raceday during this challenging time. We are delighted to be able to welcome back owners to our purpose-built facility this weekend for the first time and our thanks must go to Irish Thoroughbred Marketing for their support.

“This is always a fascinating meeting with some competitive Group and Listed races across the two days, alongside a range of handicaps and maidens that often throw up some exciting horses. You only have to look to last year to find Quadrilateral, who went on to win a Group 1 at Newmarket at the end of the season.”

The current going is Good to Soft, Good in places

Latest betting for The Unibet Hungerford Stakes
5/2 Dream of Dreams
5/1 Threat
11/2 Surf Dancer
7/1 Glorious Journey
9/1 Pierre Lapin
10/1 Namos, Symbolize
11/1 Breathtaking Look
22/1 History Writer
33/1 Lincoln Bright
Order of Running

Unibet Hungerford Day: Saturday 15 August (ITV1)
RACE     TIME        TV             TITLE                                                                 AGE      VALUE      DISTANCE
   1            1.15     Racing TV       The Unibet Fillies’ Novice Stakes (DIV 1)      2       £5,400               6f
   2           1.50        ITV1              The Denford Stakes (Listed)                             2       £20,000            7f
   3           2.25        ITV1              The Unibet You’re On Handicap Stakes         3+    £15,000            1m
   4          3.00        ITV1              The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing
                                                       Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)                      3+     £37,000          1m 5½f
    5          3.35        ITV1               The Unibet Hungerford Stakes (Group 2)     3+    £60,000          7f
    6         4.10      Racing TV        The Unibet Fillies’ Novice Stakes (DIV 2)     2       £5,400             6f
    7         4.45      Racing TV        The Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day
                                                        Handicap Stakes                                                 3+     £7,250             1m 2f
    8         5.20     Racing TV        The Unibet British Stallions Studs
                                                        EBF Maiden Stakes                                             3        £10,000         1m 4f  
    9         5.55     Racing TV        The Unibet New Instant Roulette Handicap
                                                        (For Amateur Riders)                                          3+     £7,250            1m 4f

Unibet August Raceday: Sunday 16 August (ITV4)
RACE     TIME       TV               TITLE                                                                   AGE     VALUE      DISTANCE
    1            1.15    Racing TV       The Unibet Thanks to the Frontline
                                                       Workers EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes                  2        £6,400               7f
    2           1.50       ITV4              The Unibet Extra Places Every Day
                                                        Handicap Stakes                                                  3+      £7,250               1m
    3            2.25      ITV4              The Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day
                                                        Handicap Stakes                                                  3+      £15,000              7f
    4           3.00       ITV4              The Unibet You’re On Handicap Stakes        3+      £15,000           1m 5f
    5           3.35        ITV4              The Unibet St Hugh’s Stakes (Listed)            2         £22,500              5f
    6          4.10      Racing TV        The Unibet Casino Deposit £10 Get £40
                                                         Bonus Nursery Handicap                                  2         £6,100                 5f
    7           4.40      Racing TV       The Unibet EBF Maiden Stakes                      2          £6,400                7f
    8           5.10       Racing TV       The Unibet Novice Stakes                                3+                                 1m 2f
    9          5.40       Racing TV        The Unibet New Instant Roulette
                                                          Apprentice Handicap Stakes                            2          £5,400             1m 1f