Newmarket hosts the re-arranged Group 3 St Simon Stakes on Friday, where William Haggas’ Hamish will be attempting a fourth straight success.
The seven-year-old has enjoyed one of his best seasons to date, winning three Group 3 events including a wide-margin victory in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood in August, where the worsening ground conditions played to his advantage.
"We need some more rain really, but I think the ground will be pretty soft," said William Haggas.
"Newmarket is a completely different test for him. He's a quirky horse so it will be interesting to see how he copes. We have never contemplated running him here, but there is a first time for everything I suppose.
"He is a useful horse. He's in good form, so we're hopeful."
It may not be an easy task for Hamish, with Karl Burke's Al Qareem also boasting winning form from the last few months. Owned by Nick Bradley Racing, the four-year-old relished the return to middle-distances when taking the Listed Stand Cup Stakes and followed up with a victory in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot.
"We chose to run here rather than go to France [for the Prix Royal-Oak]. We just felt near enough two miles on heavy ground would be hard work for him when you add in the travelling as well," said Nick Bradley.
"I think the race is strong enough, the last two times he has been headed and fought back and I would be pretty hopeful, but Hamish is obviously in there as a very good horse.
"We go there expecting a big run and soft ground over a mile and a half might be perfect for him. I don't quite know what his optimum is, when he won his Group Two it was over further on soft ground, but right now this is what I would choose – a mile and a half and soft ground."
Hamish is currently 5/6 favourite for the Group 3 St Simon Stakes, with Al Qareem at 9/2.
