2026 Hungerford Stakes Tips - Consistent front-runner worth chancing at Newbury

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Fri 14 Aug 2026 15:04

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Hungerford Stakes
This Group Two headlines the action at Newbury on Saturday 15th August
Witness Stand is our best bet at 5/1

More Thunder beating Witness Stand (centre) in the 2025 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury

Saturday's main event in Britain takes place at Newbury, as a talented field takes part in the Hungerford Stakes. This Group Two was first run back in 1949, and has been won by classy sorts like Distant Relative, Paco Boy and Excelebration.

Here's our free guide to the 2026 Hungerford Stakes, including our best betting tips.

2026 Hungerford Stakes Odds

Name	Odds
Never So Brave	11/4
Coppull	4/1
Symbol Of Honour	9/2
Witness Stand	5/1
Extremely Zain	11/2
Prince Of India	8/1
Bar	12/1

2026 Hungerford Stakes Entries

Never So Brave tops the market for this wide-open renewal of the Hungerford. Andrew Balding's star won the Group One City Of York Stakes last term, but is winless during this campaign, and travels to Newbury on the back of a sixth-place finish in the Sussex Stakes.

Symbol Of Honour claimed his first victory of the season in the Hackwood Stakes here at Newbury, and represents Charlie Appleby again. Witness Stand remains over seven furlongs, having run well when third in the defence of his Lennox Stakes crown at Glorious Goodwood.

The leading three-year-old in the betting is Clive Cox's Coppull, who steps up to seven furlongs following a fourth-place finish in the July Cup. Extremely Zain could only finish fourth as the firm-favourite in the International Handicap, but still steps into pattern company for the first time.

Pat Dobbs has been confirmed in the saddle of July Cup sixth Prince Of India. Northern Champion and Sukanya will also represent the Classic generation. James Fanshawe's handicapper Back In Black rounds off the market.

2026 Hungerford Stakes Tips

It’s interesting that Never So Brave comes to Newbury, rather than heading to York next week for the defence of his City Of York Stakes crown. Clearly, connections feel he’s not performing up to Group One standard this season, and I’m keen to take the market leader on in this quality contest.

WITNESS STAND (5/1) bumped into the thoroughly in-form More Thunder in this race 12 months ago, and returns to Newbury in excellent form.

Dr Richard Newland’s five-year-old was only beaten a head by future Group One winner Ten Bob Tony on his return to Britain at Epsom. Jack Doughty, for reasons best known to himself, then tried to hold the free-going Witness Stand up in the City Plate Stakes at Chester, where the favourite was comfortably beaten behind one of today’s rivals, Northern Champion.

Witness Stand reverted to his favoured front-running tactics in the Lennox Stakes two weeks ago. Dr Newland’s star held on from the front to win that Group Two convincingly last term, but couldn’t quite repeat that feat this year, losing out by just a length to Lake Forest, with Rogue Diplomat relegating the defending champion to third in the closing stages.

Saffie Osborne’s mount won’t be carrying a penalty in this year’s Hungerford, and his record at Newbury is very strong. Witness Stand is drawn high in stall seven, and the fast-starting Coppull will keep him company in the early stages. Unlike Coppull, Witness Stand’s stamina cannot be questioned, and he’s proven that he can produce his best on fast ground over the past couple of seasons.

Live Stream

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Verdict

Witness Stand is our selection in the 2026 Hungerford Stakes.

Witness Stand

2026 Hungerford Stakes Tips

@5/1 - 5 Units

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