Weather Check

Saturday’s rain-beleaguered G2 Betfred Hungerford S. at Newbury offers an ideal contrast of established diehards and social climbers tackling the in-between “specialist” trip of seven furlongs, with Godolphin supplying one in each category in Safety Check (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Richard Pankhurst (GB) (Raven’s Pass). The former has proven this season that he belongs in this league with wins over this trip and a mile, respectively, in the Jan. 22 G2 Al Fahidi Fort and Feb. 26 G2 Zabeel Mile on Meydan’s turf track and transmitted that form back to Europe when third under a four-pound penalty in Goodwood’s G2 Qatar Lennox S., also at this distance July 28. However, with the soft ground that has already seen to the withdrawal of two fascinating contenders in Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) and Home of the Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), he could be another defector according to trainer Charlie Appleby. “I think his participation would have to be in doubt,” he said. “He’s in good form, but he ran in soft ground at Newbury last year and couldn’t raise a gallop. If we do take him out, we’ll probably look towards the [Sept. 12] G2 Park S. at Doncaster.” Richard Pankhurst has not been seen since displaying Classic potential when winning the Listed Chesham S. over this trip at Royal Ascot last June, but is another who will not find these conditions ideal. “He has been off the track for a long time, but he has been doing well at home,” jockey Robert Havlin said. “He probably wouldn’t want too much rain, but he is up for a big run. He will obviously come on for it, though.” One who will appreciate the dig in the ground is last year’s G2 Challenge S. scorer Here Comes When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood July 29. Trainer Andrew Balding commented, “Here Comes When came out of Goodwood in good form. It was a good run in the Sussex S. last time over the mile. I think he is just as effective over a mile or seven furlongs, but he is a Group 2 winner over seven and hopefully he will have every chance.”