15:00 Royal Ascot

Friday 19 June 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 2m 34.49s

(1)

Alounak¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 110

40/1

German form last year looks smart (won a Group3, placed Group1); has form on soft in his younger days. First run for this yard (off seven-months) in Coronation Cup (1m4f, good/firm) at Newmarket; left behind 3f out, eased when held, progress needed.

Form: 45125-6

(6)

Anthony Van Dyck¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| D

9/4

Derby winner last year (not won since); made an encouraging return to action (Coronation Cup) behind all-the-way winner Ghaiyyath. Looked a touch on the rusty side (better for race), kept on well when asked, form on soft, sets the standard.

Form: 20330-2

(10)

Communique¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 114| BF| D

40/1

Yet to be placed in three visits here, he was a dual Group 2 winner at Newmarket last year over 1m4f. Has come up short at this level before though; produced a laboured effort on return at Listed level, something to prove at the current time.

Form: 81298-5

(5)

Defoe¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 117| CD

6/1

Smart performer (multiple winner), surprise winner of Coronation Cup last year (at Epsom) prior to taking this contest by ½L. Not hit those heights since in three contests (one over C&D), below form in Coronation Cup (at Newmarket) this time around.

Form: 2119-25

(3)

Eagles By Day³⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 108| BF| D

80/1

Lightly-raced smart performer, gets first crack at this level (has only won a maiden in his career). Created a fair impression with a C&D third in the King Edward VII last year, bled when well held soon after, returns from an absence, ground doubts.

Form: 2/21638-

(7)

Elarqam¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 120| BF

11/4

Returned from wind surgery last year, won at Listed level (twice) plus Group2 (all over 1m2f. Big effort In Juddmonte International at York when third, second on reappearance to Lord North (impressive Group 1 winner since), first try at 1m4f.

Form: 31137-2

(9)

Hamish²³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108| BF

6/1

Improved from race-to-race last year (didn't run as 2yo), bagging a brace of competitive 3yo York handicaps over 1m6f. Lost nothing in defeat when trying to complete a hat-trick at Newbury. No fears on the ground, does have something to find on form.

Form: 213112-

(11)

Morando²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 116| CD

7/1

Better-fancied of the duo from this yard, fourth in this last year (on much better ground), relished conditions over C&D when taking Group 3 by 6L to close his season. Form on soft/heavy 1332121; will appreciate any further rain, has won when fresh.

Form: 184821-

(8)

Fanny Logan¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| BF

17/2

Progressive 3yo in 2019 (won five times, including a Listed/Group 3 four-timer), ran with credit in Breeders Cup Group 1 contest (1m4f) to end season. Creditable reappearance, failed to reel in enterprisingly-ridden winner (11.6f), more required.

Form: 11114-2

Non-Runners

(2)

Desert Encounter¹⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 8

T: D M Simcock J: Tom Marquand

(4)

Spanish Mission¹¹³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: W Buick

Forecasts

Anthony Van Dyck (9/4), Elarqam (11/4), Defoe (6/1), Hamish (6/1), Morando (7/1), Fanny Logan (17/2), Spanish Mission (20/1), Desert Encounter (33/1), Alounak (40/1), Communique (40/1), Eagles By Day (80/1)

With the ground seemingly getting more testing this could provide MORANDO with a chance to pick up a Group 1 prize having come up short at this level before. The ground could favour his grinding style rather than a few flashier types in this with the bonus being the fact his stable is in very good form. Last year’s Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck hasn’t been successful since but returned in good style in the Coronation Cup. Aidan O’Brien’s charge has to be respected as does Elarqam (tries this trip fir first time) after his sound reappearance second to Lord North. The unexposed Hamish is a wildcard contender on the ground.