Pinhole aiming to justify connections' faith in Geoffrey Freer
He disappointed as a joint-favourite for the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot on his next start, but made the most of having his sights lowered when bolting up in first-time cheek pieces on his handicap debut three weeks ago, earning him a return to Group Three level at Newbury on Saturday.
PINHOLE wins comfortably in the Royal Ascot Winning Breeders' Handicap Stakes with @Rossaryan15 in the saddle for @RalphBeckett and @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/VlfVcr4qAJ
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) July 25, 2025
Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: 'He was obviously an easy winner the last day and the handicapper has forced our hand to head back into Group company, so we're looking forward to seeing what he can do.
'He's a horse we always felt was up to this sort of level, hopefully it's not coming too soon for him.
'He's a big horse and probably still a little on the weak side. We started out with Derby ambitions and the form of the Chester Vase has obviously worked out very well, but the Derby was coming too early in his life. Let's hope we can get back on track at Group-race level.'
Pinhole's five rivals include the William Haggas-trained Candleford, who was last seen finishing third behind high-class stablemate Al Aasy in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood and Ambiente Friendly, who was one place and just under two lengths adrift of Candleford two weeks ago.
His trainer James Owen said: 'He worked nicely on Tuesday morning and he's taken a step forward from Goodwood, so I think gelding him is definitely helping.
'It's small steps but I feel I'm getting him back into form. I think if you watch his races, even at Goodwood, in the last 15 yards he's beginning to stay on again and I just think he needs to give himself chance to get these longer trips, then I do think he will stay well.
'He's getting better at home and he's improved the last twice on the track. Sean D Bowen did a great job with him the last day and rode him very well and I think that was the most settled he has been for a long time.'
The Haggas-trained More Thunder is the potential star attraction in other Group race on the card – the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes.
The four-year-old has won three of his four starts since moving across Newmarket after Sir Michael Stoute's retirement and he is perhaps unlucky not to be unbeaten, having just failed to reel in Get It in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He bounced back to winning ways in Newmarket's Bunbury Cup last month and now gets the chance to showcase his talent at Group Two level.
Haggas told Sky Sports Racing 'It was a bit messy at Newmarket, but he's absolutely fine and it's time he had a step up in grade.
'He's a pretty smart horse, he's done really well. He's got about the lowest rating of any of the runners on Saturday and yet he's favourite, I don't quite understand that, but some people think that he has the potential to do a bit better, so we'll see if they're right.'
Witness Stand takes the HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes 🥇#ITVRacing | @Goodwood_Races | @HollieDoyle1 | @UrloxheyStables pic.twitter.com/KGg13HyuBF
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 29, 2025
The highest-rated runner is Witness Stand, who bids for back-to-back Group Two wins for the training partnership of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole following his surprise Lennox Stakes success.
Insole said: 'We obviously have to carry a penalty now, but he's come out of the race at Goodwood well. He did a nice breeze on Wednesday and we're really happy with him.
'He's already a Group Two winner now, so we just hope he turns up and puts in another brave run to do us all proud.'
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