Another Group win for Bated Breath's Coppull
An inspired Hector Crouch completed a quickfire treble at Newbury on Saturday (15th August) when steering the Clive Cox-trained Coppull (Bated Breath) to success in the seven-furlong Gr.2 Hungerford Stakes.
Taken from the European Bloodstock News, 16th August 2026:
Drawn closest to the stands’ side rail in stall nine, the threeyear-old jumped alertly and soon settled into second behind Witness Stand on his first try at the trip. However, Crouch decided to change course on Coppull just before halfway, switching left to race closer to the far side rail, where he was soon followed by Symbol Of Honour and Back In Black. The strong-travelling Coppull took over in front shortly afterwards and quickly built up an unassailable advantage. Despite shifting further left to race against the far side rail inside the final furlong, he confounded any pre-race stamina doubts by galloping to an impressive length and a quarter victory.
Prince Of India stayed on for second, three quarters of a length ahead of Symbol Of Honour in third. Clive Cox was winning this race for a third time, having also triumphed with Balthazaar’s Gift and Lethal Force. Speaking to ITV Racing after yesterday’s win, he said: “I’m thrilled with this fella; I think he was unlucky not to be a place closer at least in the July Cup. He always gave me the impression that he would stretch out another furlong, even as a two-year-old. He’s got a lot of class and he’s a first-class individual to deal with.”
Looking ahead to possible targets, he added: “I think we’ve got choices; he’s still quick enough for six [furlongs], and Lethal Force went on to be champion sprinter the year after he won this. If he comes back all right, he could still run in the [Gr.1] Haydock Sprint Cup, and we still have the [Gr.2] Park Stakes, which he would have a penalty in now. We’ve got choices.”
Homebred by owner David Armstrong under his Highfield Farm LLP banner, Coppull was a smart two-year-old who won a five furlong Leicester maiden on debut and the Gr.2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. Those wins sandwiched an excellent third in the Gr.2 Coventry Stakes, and he would also fill the same position in the Gr.1 Middle Park Stakes later in the season. Sticking to six furlongs at the start of this year, he enjoyed a comeback win in the Gr.3 Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot but could manage only eighth in the main event. However, he bounced back to form with a fourth against his elders in the Gr.1 July Cup and now has a range of options with his stamina proven for seven furlongs He is the second runner and second winner out of the Mayson mare Springwood Drive, another Armstrong homebred, who won a pair of handicaps at up to 6f when trained by Tim Easterby.