17:35 Royal Ascot

Thursday 22 June 2023

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

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:37 | Winning time: 2m 5.1s

(3)

Brave Emperor^b¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 106

40/1

Has developed into a useful performer with 6 wins to his name, the latest in a German Group 3 in April. Ran well in another Group 3 on his travels when third in Stockholms Stora Pris at Bro Park 11 days ago. However, will need to find more to get involved in this contest.

Form: D11213

(5)

Drumroll²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| BF| D

4/1

Looked useful prospect when winning at Navan on debut before finding only stablemate Paddington too strong in listed race at the Curragh next time. Resumed winning ways (promoted from second having suffered interference) in Gallinule Stakes back at the Curragh on latest outing. Not taken lightly.

Form: 121

(12)

Bold Act³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 107

9/1

Improved again to make it 4 in a row in a valuable conditions race at Chelmsford in April. Not in the same form in Newmarket listed race next time, but resumed his progress (had been gelded) upped further in trip when only narrowly denied in London Gold Cup at Newbury. Merits consideration.

Form: 111-152

(8)

Bolster¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 95| D

28/1

Made successful debut in good style at Leicester (1m) in October and, after 8 months off, powered away from his rivals when following up under a penalty in 10-runner minor event (10f) at Windsor 10 days ago. Will go on improving, so he's an interesting contender now upped in grade.

Form: 1-1

(6)

Canberra Legend³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 103

25/1

Justified market confidence with comfortable debut win at Newcastle in February. Took the jump up in class in his stride when following up in Feilden Stakes at Newmarket in April, but disappointing on much firmer ground in Dante at York last time. Any rain would help his chances.

Form: 119

(15)

Captain Winters³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 104

28/1

Novice winner at Thirsk last summer who excelled himself when third in listed race at Haydock in September. Only fourth at Musselburgh making handicap debut on return, but much improved when landing a listed prize at Sandown last month (cheekpieces wore on previous outing left off). More needed.

Form: 2135-41

(13)

Dancing Magic^h1,t1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: R A Teal| OR: 104

40/1

Remains a maiden but has been highly tried, showing improved form on reappearance when 3-lengths third of 7 in Craven Stakes at Newmarket. However, not in the same form when well held in the Dante last time and hood/tongue strap now reached for. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 2244-30

(4)

Dear My Friend¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 103

28/1

Won minor events at Carlisle and Beverley on first 2 starts and acquitted himself well at a higher level on his subsequent 3 outings of the campaign. After 6 months off, made a winning return in listed race at Newcastle but has found it tougher in the Dante and Derby since.

Form: 533-180

(1)

Epictetus^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| D

13/2

Smart form at 2 yrs, winning at Newmarket on debut before runner-up in Autumn Stakes there and Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. Scored with a bit in hand in Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on return and ran up to best when fifth in both the Dante and Prix du Jockey Club. Can go well back at Group 3 level.

Form: 122-155

(11)

Exoplanet³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 100

12/1

Looked good prospect when scoring at Newbury on debut before finding the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket too much 3 weeks later, However, has got back on the up this season, third in the London Gold Cup also at Newbury last month. Can continue his progress to return to winning ways.

Form: 16-23

(14)

Killybegs Warrior²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 100

50/1

Won 2 of first 3 starts on the July Course at Newmarket last summer. Better form in defeat at listed/Group 2 level this year, but below form on his second outing in handicap company when well held at Haydock last month. Step back up in trip not enough to tempt.

Form: 5-43369

(16)

Oviedo²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 100| D

20/1

Useful form at 2 yrs, following a winning debut with third in Acomb Stakes at York. Made a solid start to his 3-y-o campaign when mid-field in Newcastle listed race (1m) and suited by step up in trip when successful on handicap debut at Redcar (10f) last time. Further progress required.

Form: 1308-61

(2)

Tony Montana³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: J & T Gosden| BF

33/1

425,000 gns Kingman colt who made a promising start to his career when second in a strong 1m Salisbury novice last September. Couldn't build on that effort 8 months later when third in maiden at Newbury (10f) 34 days ago, so he looks to face a tough task now upped in grade.

Form: 2-3

(9)

Torito¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105| D

4/1

Bred to be smart and has been going the right way in his 3 starts so far this year, getting off the mark in a Nottingham minor event and improving again when making a winning handicap debut at Epsom 19 days ago, impressing with the way that he went through the race. Major contender.

Form: 3-121

(7)

Waipiro¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 107| D

7/1

Proved a different proposition to debut when making all in novice at Newmarket on return. Again showed significant improvement when runner-up in Lingfield Derby Trial and not discredited when sixth from a less-than-ideal position in the Derby. Can give a good account back down in trip.

Form: 6-126

(10)

Caernarfon²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Channon| OR: 112

17/2

Progressed well last autumn, ending the campaign with listed success at Newmarket. Nearest at the finish when fourth of 20 to Mawj in 1000 Guineas back at Newmarket on her return, before excelling herself upped in trip when a fine third in the Oaks. Respected on her first try at 10f.

Form: 2131-43

Forecasts

Torito (4/1), Drumroll (4/1), Epictetus (13/2), Waipiro (7/1), Caernarfon (17/2), Bold Act (9/1), Exoplanet (12/1), Oviedo (20/1), Canberra Legend (25/1), Bolster (28/1), Captain Winters (28/1), Dear My Friend (28/1), Tony Montana (33/1), Dancing Magic (40/1), Brave Emperor (40/1), Killybegs Warrior (50/1)

EXOPLANET improved again when third in the competitive London Gold Cup at Newbury last month, shaping well having had the worst of the draw, so he can continue his progress to take the step up in grade in his stride and resume winning ways. Heading the list of dangers is Torito, who impressed when scoring at Epsom on his latest outing, while Caernarfon and Bold Act also merit consideration.