TECHNICIAN, a 10/1 chance, won the Class One Unibet-sponsored Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last Saturday to boost his claims for a shot at next month's St Leger at Doncaster, writes Dave Wright.

The Martyn Meade-trained grey, with Rob Hornby aboard, appreciated every yard of the extended one-mile-five-furlong trip to defeat the 11/8 favourite Morando by three-quarters-of-a-length.

Meade's son and assistant, Freddie, said the Leger has been on the radar for a while, adding: "The extra trip and the ground at Doncaster might make it a logical step."

Sky Bet have priced up Technician at 20/1 for the season's final Classic on September 14.

Glorious Journey lived up to his name for James Doyle in the Unibet backed Hungerford Stakes over seven furlongs.

The 100/30 chance, trained by Charlie Appleby, travelled nicely into the race and swept into the lead inside the final quarter-mile, going on to beat Librisa Breeze by half-a-length.

Doyle also won the Frontier British EBF Maiden Stakes on Rhythmic Intent (4/1) for trainer Stuart Williams, with the even-money favourite, Adonijah trailing home the last of the five runners.

Thunderous made it three wins out of three to win the Listed Denford Stakes, much to the delight of local owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

Mark Johnston's gutsy two-year-old was following up wins at Doncaster and Redcar in a race, previously known as the Washington Singer Stakes.

Ridden by Franny Norton, the 11/8 shot was among the front runners throughout the seven-furlong contest and held on well when challenged late on by the Richard Hannon-trained pair Sun Power and Sesame Birah, defeating the latter by a length.

Thunderous was introduced at 33/1 for next year's 2000 Guineas by Sky Bet.

The Unibet Handicap was won by Pattie, trained, owned and bred by Mick Channon at West Ilsley.

Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the 9/2 shot (backed in from 8/1), took the lead just over a furlong out and ran on well to win by a head from Ripp Orf.

Channon indicated the five-year-old will probably go to the sales at the end of the season.

Qarasu, relishing the soft going, won Division One of the Energy Check Handicap in the hands of Jason Watson.

Sent off the 9/4 fav, the Roger Charlton-trained three-year-old finished strongly to go four lengths clear of Sputnik Planum (7/1) in second place.

Division Two of the 10-furlong event went the way of 25/1 outsider Torcello, trained near Witney in Oxfordshire by Shaun Lycett.

The five-year-old, with apprentice Elisha Whittington in the plate, led for much of the race, only to lose it two furlongs out, but rallied gamely to get back in front in the closing stages.

Newbury's excellent eight-race card closed with a race for lady amateur riders, and the one and a half-mile contest was won by the 5/2 favourite Gas Monkey, ridden by Miss Sarah Bowen and trained by Julia Fielden.

Among the winners on Friday were Orlaith, Kheros, Game and Set, Bushtucker Trial and Gin Palace.