Group Two Hardwicke Stakes Guide 2022

Narrowly beaten in the 2019 Derby, Broome found success as a 4 year old being dropped back in trip to 10 furlongs.
Scoring a listed race with bundles in hand, he then hoovered up a group 3 and a group 2 in quick succession.

Having to settle for 2nd in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and this race last year, he took another step forward to score the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and secure his group 1 win.

Some decent outings in France and America followed. Coming 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Turf before a poor showing in the Japan Cup. A long season catching up with him.

His return in the Tattersalls Gold Cup this year saw him miss the break and not dominate from the front like usual. He’ll be sharper for that though and will try to burn all these off from the front.

Living Legend is quite lightly raced for his age. Only being seen 16 times as a 6 year old. Connections appear to be making up for lost time this season and he’s already had six outings this year already.

Mainly seen in handicaps last year, he returned in handicap company this season but found his mark of 101 too stiff to compete off of. Eventually scoring narrowly in listed company on the all weather at Kempton.

He managed to back that effort up twice since. Winning a conditions race at Newcastle before moving into group 2 company and beating Yibir comprehensively.

Last seen coming last in the Coronation Cup, he needs to bounce back from that poor effort which came only 15 days ago. Likely to be well held again.

After spending a good portion of his career in handicaps, Solid Stone managed to step up to listed level last year to win over a mile handsomely.

Moved up in trip towards the end of the season saw him score in group 3 company over 10 and 11 furlongs too. Front running tactics let him dictate the pace of small fields and quicken when he liked.

Unable to land a blow over in Riyadh on his seasonal comeback, he shaped much better at Chester last time out over 10.5 furlongs to win a group 2.

He steps up in trip again here but looks to be in fine form if staying the distance.

At the foot of the betting is Away He Goes for Ismail Mohammed.

The 6 year old had a decent season in handicaps in 2020 and scored over 12 furlongs in a low grade event before being well held in a stronger group 3 contest. A spell in Meydan early last year saw him try longer trips and fare well enough over 2 miles to be a good 3rd in the Dubai Gold Cup.

His best run last season came in the Goodwood Gold Cup to be a very pleasing 2nd behind Trueshan.

A mark of 111 saw him shape well enough in the Ebor at York on his last outing without being able to get seriously involved.

He’s not been seen since and looks better over staying trips. Likely to find this far too sharp.

Tried over various trips in his career Layfayette ran in some decent handicaps earlier in his career and scored over 10 furlongs and a mile well in handicap company.

Managing to score a listed win last season, his form dipped off slightly after. Finding a mark in the 100’s too high for handicaps and the penalty for his win holding him down back in listed company.

He returned to racing this season better than ever, winning a listed race over 10 furlongs, he then backed that up in a group 3 event smartly. Most recently upped to group 2 level he scored again narrowly holding off Bear Story at the Curragh.

He stayed on well last time out and has run well at 12 furlongs before. Not one to be lightly ruled out for Noel Meade.

After breaking his maiden last season over 10 furlongs, Third Realm managed to scalp the eventual Derby winner Adayar in the Derby trial at Lingfield.

He then struggled for form after that win. Coming 5th in the Derby itself and then struggling in lower grade events off the back of that. Being beaten in a group 3 and a brace of group 2 races.

His return over 12 furlongs saw him shape well enough in listed company to be 3rd behind Al Aasy and he built upon that to win easily last time out at listed level at Goodwood.

He looks in decent form but has struggled in higher quality races before so faces a question mark over how effective he can be in this company.

A handsome winner as a 2 year old, Hurricane Lane took a major step forward at 3 to have an outstanding season.
Winning the Dante narrowly, he couldn’t live with stablemate Adayar in the Derby but finished a valiant 3rd.

Scoring the Irish Derby as compensation on his next start, a trip to France followed with a spellbinding performance in the Grand Prix de Paris. Storming home easily by 6 lengths.

Scoring another classing success when winning the St Leger he rounded out the season with a close 3rd in the Arc.

The best form on paper, this race will be the start of his route back to Paris.

A decent 3 year old for the Gosdens last year, Mostahdaf won a conditions race over a mile on the all weather before handily taking a listed race at Sandown.

Shoring into the St James’ Palace Stakes off the back of that he ran no race to only beat one rival home. Dropped back in grade he shaped better to score at listed level again at Sandown. And going up slightly in trip saw him score a group 3 at Newmarket on his final outing of the season.

A perfect return to racing this year saw him capture another group 3 at Sandown. Easily beating Foxes Tales in a small runner race.

Last seen in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes, he was sent off favourite but was no match for Bay Bridge.

That form has been boosted since and he shaped like going further will suit. He’s not without hope to play a part here