15:05 Royal Ascot

Thursday 17 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:1517:0017:3518:10

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 2m 5.72s

(1)

One Ruler¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112

9/2

1m Group 3 winner at 2 and runner-up in Futurity at Doncaster final start. Not disgraced when sixth in the 2000 Guineas and Derby this term. Drop back to 1¼m could help. Respected despite penalty.

Form: 1312-66

(4)

Matchless^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

40/1

Useful form. Ridden aggressively in blinkers (retained) and faded into a 7 lengths fifth in Gallinule at the Curragh latest. Others are preferred.

Form: 41-95

(3)

Mohaafeth⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111| D

11/8

Took a huge step forward when making it 3-3 for the year in listed contest at Newmarket (1¼m, good to firm) 27 days ago, coming clear as his rider pleased. Looks a colt of huge potential.

Form: 73-111

(8)

Movin Time³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 91| D

9/2

Shaped well in pair of 1m AW novices last autumn and took another step forward when readily seeing off Kemari (won easily since) at Newmarket (1¼m) 25 days ago. Can make his mark at higher level.

Form: 22-1

(5)

Notre Belle Bete³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: D Bunyan & G O'Leary| OR: 102

40/1

Useful form when fourth in 7f listed events on first 2 starts but beaten in a 1m maiden at the Curragh last time. Up in trip. Bit of a surprise if a first win arrives here.

Form: 442

(2)

Roman Empire³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

14/1

Gowran maiden winner last autumn. Disappointed on return but firmly back on track when fourth in Dante at York, seemingly used as a pacemaker but not headed until inside the final 1f.

Form: 41-54

(10)

Secret Protector⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 107| BF| D

11/1

Smart War Front colt who has finished second in a pair of listed events at Newmarket since returning to Britain, albeit no match for Mohaafeth latterly. Hard to see him turning the tables.

Form: 31-122

(6)

Snapraeterea⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105

14/1

Useful colt who bagged a 7f Naas listed in May. Didn't quite see out 1¼m when 4¾ lengths third in Gallinule at the Curragh (heavy) next time. Fair fifth back at 7f latest. Others stronger.

Form: 4-04135

(7)

The Rosstafarian²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 102

12/1

Stylish winner of soft-ground 1m Salisbury novice on debut in October. Better form in defeat at listed/pattern level since but he'll need to improve significantly for 1¼m to have a big say here.

Form: 13-57

Non-Runners

(9)

Pythagoras³⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: R A Fahey J: P Hanagan

Forecasts

Mohaafeth (11/8), Movin Time (9/2), One Ruler (9/2), Secret Protector (11/1), The Rosstafarian (12/1), Roman Empire (14/1), Snapraeterea (14/1), Pythagoras (16/1), Matchless (40/1), Notre Belle Bete (40/1)

MOHAAFETH, a late omission from the Derby after the ground eased, was seriously impressive when easily accounting for Secret Protector in a Newmarket listed race last month and ought to take a good deal of stopping. Movin Time's ready defeat of Kemari in a Newmarket maiden looks even better in light of that one's wins since and he can provide the main threat ahead of the penalised One Ruler.