Reverence warms up for a return to Group One company in a strong-looking renewal of the Uplands Racing Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Trainer Eric Alston believes the six-year-old needs a second run into him before seeking back-to-back victories in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 23, having finished fifth on his seasonal debut at Sandown two weeks ago.

"He does need another race into him. There's no doubt he needed his first run. He did too much in the first part of the race at Sandown. Kevin (Darley) said he ran with the choke out for a little bit," said Alston.

"The plan is Saturday, then the Nunthorpe, then Haydock then back to Paris.

"At the moment it's good to firm at Newbury but they are expecting quite a bit of rain on Friday and they reckon it will end up good to soft. As long as the ground is not very fast he definitely runs. He's been in super form."

South African challenger Drayton bids for better luck after taking on the best sprinters in this country when unplaced in the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the Darley July Cup.

"He's a nice horse, we'll look for easier pickings now. He has the ability to win a nice race here," his trainer Mike de Kock told mikedekockracing.com.

There are two other three-year-olds taking their chance - Sonny Red and Wi Dud - while among the seasoned campaigners are Bygone Days, Assertive and Baltic King.

Opposition also includes two past winners - Fayr Jag (2006) and Ashdown Express (2002).

Peter Chapple-Hyam has warned Al Qasi will only run if the ground is suitable.

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