The Bunbury Cup is one of a number of big-field treats to enjoy on Super Saturday. We’ve analysed the main headlines within the line-up and given our verdict below.
Narrow Ascot Losers To The Fore
There are a trio who look set to vye for favouritism in this contest and all three run for stables in fine form.
In the last two weeks the strike rates for Eve Johnson Haughton (28%), William Haggas (29%) and John & Thady Gosden (43%) are outstanding. Starting with the first-named, Jumby is her representative here.
The four-year-old was a fine third in the Wokingham behind Rohaan and, like that rival, was also left waiting until late in the race. He is only up 1lb from that fine effort and having placed in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes earlier this term, will likely be right there at the finish once again.
Haggis has Montassib in here. The same age as Jumby, he has been raced on far fewer occasions, meeting a racecourse only four times. Issues kept him off the track for 598 days after he won on debut as a juvenile, but he won his first three races before coming from last of the 29 runners to finish fifth in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. There should still be more to come from him.
For the Gosdens, Samburu was sixth not in a handicap, but in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes. That was a fine effort for a first attempt at Group level and he has retained his handicap mark of 97. That is still be 9lb above his last winning handicap mark, though he gets 8lb in weight for age and is in the mix.
Powerful Operations Represented
Though Shadwell Estate’s famous colours will not be carried to success after victory for Motakhayyel in the last two runnings, there are other powerful operations in attendance this year.
Chief among those is Godolphin and Charlie Appleby sends Silent Film here after his charge rather flopped in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. However, he was drawn on completely the wrong side of the track that day and though the handicapper opted against easing him in the ratings, he could still have a part to play.
Al Shaqab’s grey and maroon will also be carried, with Al Rufaa ridden by Rab Havlin for the Gosdens. He was also down the field in that Ascot contest, but that track has not seen his best results, whereas this one has. He has won on his only two starts on the July course and he is only 2lb higher than the second of those. They may have come two years ago, but he cannot be ruled out on that basis.
Veterans Could Upset The Odds
The eight-year-old Accidental Agent is a former Group 1 winner and contested the top tier race he won in 2019 when last of seven in the Queen Anne Stakes most recently.
However, prior to that, he had run a screamer in handicap company, finishing second off a mark of 109 in the Victoria Cup. He is 3lb higher and it would be something spectacular to win off 112 here, but that cannot be ruled out from a likeable and classy performer.
Another relative veteran here is Bless Him for David Simcock. Due to the early entries, he remains off a mark of 101, off which he has been seventh the last twice at York and Ascot. However, those were respectable runs from his customary position out the back and he could well emerge late on the scene.
Verdict
MONTASSIB could have finished closer had he not been so far back in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and may easily have more to come off a mark of 97. The biggest danger may be Jumby stepping up in trip.