15:40 Royal Ascot

Saturday 19 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 2m 35.31s

(9)

Broome²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 115| BF

9/4

At least as good as ever this year, winning his first three starts over 1¼m and leaving the impression he's ready for a return to this trip when beaten a short head at the Curragh last time. Player.

Form: 40-1112

(7)

Deja⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 108| D

80/1

Smart sort who continued on the up last season, winning Old Newton Cup at Haydock. Not seen to best effect when well-beaten sixth over C&D 6 weeks ago and likely to come up short in this company.

Form: 5/210-76

(8)

Highest Ground^t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 109| D

22/1

Beat Waldkonig in Haydock novice last June and back on track to some extent when winning a minor event at Leicester this month. Can’t be ruled out given his trainer’s excellent record in this race.

Form: 1/120-61

(6)

Hukum²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 114| CD

8/1

Highly-progressive colt last term who came on plenty for his reappearance when resuming winning ways in a listed event at Goodwood last time. Strong traveller who commands the utmost respect.

Form: 1/115-41

(10)

Ilaraab³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111| D

4/1

Vastly progressive in 2020 winning 5 times and picked up where he left off to land Jorvik Handicap (11.8f) on return at York last month, powering clear. Likely more to come so rates a serious player.

Form: 11111-1

(12)

Japan¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| CD

11/1

Very progressive in 2019, notably winning the King Edward VII Stakes over C&D at this meeting and the Juddmonte International at York. Has been below that level since though, so others preferred.

Form: 3359-13

(5)

Sir Ron Priestley³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 116| BF| D

14/1

Tough stayer who has looked better than ever in landing both starts this term, grinding it out in Jockey Club Stakes last month. Too keen a fortnight later in Yorkshire Cup but should bounce back.

Form: 112/113

(14)

Thunderous^b1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 109

40/1

Last year's Dante winner at York who got back on track in Group 2 at Newmarket (12f) on return and ran to similar level in Aston Park Stakes last time. Blinkers go on but step forward needed.

Form: 1/21-732

(2)

Albaflora¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: James Doyle| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113| CD

13/2

Reached a smart level last season and took form up another notch when running away with listed race at Ascot on return. Found out in better company in Coronation Cup so others make more appeal here.

Form: 2622-14

(11)

Wonderful Tonight²⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 117| CD

5/1

Made the Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de Royallieu (1¾m) on Arc weekend and improved further when landing Fillies' & Mares' over C&D in October. Handles conditions so she's respected.

Form: 421511-

Non-Runners

(1)

Bangkok⁴³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

(13)

Logician³⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: J & T Gosden J: L Dettori

(3)

Mogul¹⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: A P O'Brien J: Non Runner

(4)

Pablo Escobarr⁴⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 5

T: W J Haggas J: D Tudhope

(15)

Tiger Moth²⁷

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: A P O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Broome (9/4), Ilaraab (4/1), Wonderful Tonight (5/1), Albaflora (13/2), Hukum (8/1), Logician (10/1), Tiger Moth (10/1), Japan (11/1), Sir Ron Priestley (14/1), Mogul (14/1), Highest Ground (22/1), Bangkok (33/1), Thunderous (40/1), Pablo Escobarr (50/1), Deja (80/1)

HUKUM created a good impression when winning one of the most competitive three-year-old handicaps of the season over C&D 12 months ago, and having shaped like a horse who has got more to offer when winning at Goodwood last time, is taken to follow up. Wonderful Tonight handles testing conditions so she's feared most if the rain materialises, ahead of the progressive Ilaraab.