Jack Channon is praying for rain ahead of Certain Lad's run in the BetVictor Steventon Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

A winner of a Listed event and Group 3 in France last season, the nine-year-old has been sighted just twice in 2025, finishing a highly creditable third behind Map Of Stars in the Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt at Longchamp in April before finishing last of six in the Huxley Stakes at Chester a month later.

He has subsequently been withdrawn at Baden-Baden and Royal Ascot due to quick ground, but should the anticipated rain arrive at Newbury on Saturday, Jack Channon believes his now-112 rated gelding would have a live chance.

Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, he said: "He's been a flag-bearer for me in my first couple of seasons and he won a Listed race and a Group 3 out in France last year,"

"The problem this year has been the weather; we haven't been able to find our ground. He ran a cracker on ground that was too quick in France first time and then it had dried out too much for him at Chester.

"Rain is forecast for the area on Saturday so we might take our chance and if the ground went soft, I think he'd have a favourite's chance.

"If the rain doesn't hit, he won't run, it's as simple as that, he's nine and he's had issues in the past, so we won't take that chance.

"He went all the way to Germany a couple of weeks ago and the ground went firm, so we brought him back without running."

Channon is also hoping for some ease in the ground for his progressive sprinter Ferrous, who looks set to revert to the turf in the Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes following his third-place finish in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle in June.

He said: "We've always thought he was very good, but it has taken until he was five for him to mature into the horse we thought he could be,"

"His performance off 102 at Newcastle was a top performance and then he ran really well in the Chipchase.

"I struggle to maintain his form for a whole season, so we gave him a break after he won at Newcastle, so the Chipchase was like his first run of his second season.

"I think he'll strip a little bit fitter and he's as good as I've ever had him.

"The question mark is can he translate that good all-weather form to turf? I wouldn't want it quick but good would be ideal.

"He's got a good draw, and he deserves his chance at this level. We know with the sprints you could run them 10 times and get 10 different results."