15:05 Royal Ascot

Saturday 20 June 2026

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

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 2m 27.91s

(12)

Amiloc³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 115| BF| CD

28/1

Went from strength to strength last year, completing a 5-timer in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting before shaping with plenty of credit in defeat in the Irish St Leger/Breeders' Cup Turf, and he clearly didn't give his running when turned over in the Yorkshire Cup on return.

Form: 11124-6

(7)

Best Secret⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: S Wattel| OR: 115| D

17/2

Won 3 of 4 races since an encouraging third in the Golden Gates handicap at this meeting 12 months ago, decisively seeing off West Wind Blows in the Group 3 Prix d'Hedouville at Longchamp (soft) last time, though likely needs another career best to be in the mix.

Form: 1311-61

(9)

Ethical Diamond^h⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: W P Mullins| OR: 120| CD

17/2

Most progressive following his C&D success in 2025 Duke of Edinburgh, capping an unbeaten Flat season in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Things didn't pan out as well for him in the Sheema Classic on return in late March, however, and he can get back on track in a race that should be run to suit.

Form: 24/111-5

(4)

Giavellotto⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Botti| OR: 120| D

9/1

Last season's L'Arc de Triomphe fourth who couldn't quite make it back-to-back victories in the Hong Kong Vase in December and was unable to land a blow when third in the Sheema Classic in late March. He'll be suited by the bigger field and likely strong pace this time, though.

Form: 3142-33

(10)

Goliath²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: F Graffard| OR: 119| CD

7/2

Impressive winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes here in 2024. Since ran well in Group 1 company without scaling those heights, though this race has reportedly been a long-term target, and he arrives on the back of cosy Group 2 success at Chantilly.

Form: 2103-21

(3)

Jan Brueghel¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| D

6/1

Produced a career best when outstaying Calandagan in the 2025 Coronation Cup but never went with the same fluency when a well-held second in this year's renewal. He's a high-class performer on his day, though, and the likely strong gallop should bring his stamina into play.

Form: 1/214-12

(1)

Lambourn^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| D

28/1

Made all in the 2025 Derby before doubling up in the Irish Derby. Successful in the Huxley Stakes at Chester on return, though he ended up as a pacemaker for Jan Brueghel when a distant third in the Coronation Cup last time and may perform a similar role on this occasion.

Form: 1154-13

(5)

Phantom Flight⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Loughnane| T: George Scott| OR: 110| D

100/1

Smart 7-y-o who enhanced a fine course record when winning the Group 3 HM The King's Cup at Sakhir (Bahrain) in April. Hard to make a strong case for on the back of a below-par run in the Group 3 John Porter at Newbury later that month, but he should at least be fresher following a break.

Form: 71-1916

(11)

Sons And Lovers^p1⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P C Boudot| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 111| D

50/1

Smart sort who has picked up plenty of prize money in the Middle East this year and he did as well as could be expected when 7¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Jan Brueghel in Ormonde Stakes at Chester. Worth a go in first-time cheekpieces back over shorter, though is probably vulnerable in a strong Group 2.

Form: 513-144

(6)

West Wind Blows³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 115| D

25/1

Seen to maximum effect when chasing home Calandagan in Dubai Sheema Classic before running to a similar level in pushing the returning Kalpana close in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury. However, he's probably flattered by the bare form of that run and is worse off at the weights this time.

Form: 1-42222

(2)

Kalpana^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: A M Balding| OR: 120| CD

9/4

Very smart mare who chased home Calandagan in last year's King George (Jan Brueghel in fourth) before landing a second successive win in Group 1 Fillies' & Mares' Stakes over C&D and, having won a shade cosily on return at Newbury, she looks primed for another big performance at this track.

Form: 22271-1

(8)

Santorini Star^p1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111| D

16/1

Progressive mare who bagged Group 2 success in the Jockey Club at Newmarket (1½m) on return before showing a tenacious attitude back up in trip when narrowly denied in Longchamp Group 1 (15.5f). She's the type to benefit from cheekpieces, though is unlikely to be able to dictate in a deeper race.

Form: 4112-12

Forecasts

Kalpana (9/4), Goliath (7/2), Jan Brueghel (6/1), Best Secret (17/2), Ethical Diamond (17/2), Giavellotto (9/1), Santorini Star (16/1), West Wind Blows (25/1), Amiloc (28/1), Lambourn (28/1), Sons And Lovers (50/1), Phantom Flight (100/1)

The remarkably consistent and versatile KALPANA can confirm last year's strong King George form with Jan Brueghel and record a third Ascot success. The Ballydoyle duo should ensure this is a thorough test, which could play into the hands of Ethical Diamond, who showed an impressive turn of foot off an end-to-end gallop when successful in the Breeders' Cup last year.