Group Two Hardwicke Stakes Royal Ascot Guide 2023

Owen Burrows sends one runner to the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday with Hukum. The six-year-old has enjoyed a good run of outings since winning a first grouped race at Newbury back in 2020.

The Sea The Stars horse continued that good form in 2021 and took more steps forward last term, winning the Group Two Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan and the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Returned in 2023 to land the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown last month and is well-placed for another shot at grouped glory here.There’s a few in this that will be thinking they can win and Hukum should be one of those. Jim Crowley will do the steering.

William Muir and Chris Grassick send one runner to this Royal Ascot contest on Saturday with Pyledriver. The six-year-old hasn’t been seen since winning the King George And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes by over two lengths last July, meaning he probably needs this race as a prep run for his defence of that contest next month.

That was the horse’s first win since winning the Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield in 2021 but was runner-up in the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom last June, four lengths behind Hukum.

He still has the ability, but his chances rely on the fact he needs this run as preparation for that Ascot event next month. Patrick McDonald does the steering.

John and Thady Gosden boast one runner in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in the form of Free Wind.

The five-year-old has been in top form since finishing fourth on debut at Wolverhampton in 2020, winning six times including her last four races in a row.

Those wins include the Prix Minerve at Deauville, Group Two Lancashire Oaks at Haydock and most recently the Group Two Middleton Fillies’ Stakes at York last month.

She can be a huge player in this field and like a few at the top of the market, she’ll be bang in the mix to claim victory.

Goes over a slightly longer trip than her last outing which promises to suit. Frankie Dettori will be on board and very confident of a top run.

Aidan O’Brien sends one to this Royal Ascot race on Saturday in the form of four-year-old Changingoftheguard.

The 109-rated runner enjoyed an impressive 2022, winning three races at Dundalk, Chester (Group Three Chester Vase) and here at Royal Ascot (Group Two King Edward VII Stakes).

He was fifth in the Epsom Derby but returned this term to finish third of six in the Group Three Ormonde Stakes won by Hamish last month prior to this race.Has a bit to find in group two company here but has to be respected for a top trainer/jockey combination of O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

James Ferguson sends one runner to the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in the form of Deauville Legend.

The four-year-old won three times in 2022, claiming class five success at Windsor as well as the Group Three Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket and the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August.

We haven’t seen the gelding since that York win in the UK but he has only finished outside of the top two on one occasion since his debut in 2021 so he’s well respected.

Others in this contest are in top form but the form he showed during 2022 means he has every chance of going well here. Daniel Muscutt is on board.

Marco Botti sends one runner to the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in the form of Ardakan. The four-year-old made a fourth start for Botti after previously being with Markus Klug.

In 2023, the colt has had three runs, all at Meydan, finishing third in the Listed Al Khail Trophy Stakes, second in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy and fourth in the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup (over 2m). The four-year-old now drops to this trip following that finish over two miles.

Others in this make more appeal and he faces a big task on UK debut. James McDonald is booked to ride.

Simon and Ed Crisford send one runner to the Hardwicke Stakes in the form of West Wind Blows.

The four-year-old has been in fairly good form since making his debut in 2021, winning five times including the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton, the Group Three Prix du Prince d’Orange and the Group Three Prix La Coupe Stakes (both at ParisLongchamp).

His grouped efforts in England have perhaps not seen the best of him but has a chance to go well here.Others make more appeal despite his form in France. Jamie Spencer is booked to ride.

Charlie Fellowes sends one to the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in the form of Grand Alliance. The four-year-old has won three times since making his debut in 2021, at Chelmsford, Doncaster and most recently claimed success in the Group Three Surprise Stakes at Newbury a couple of months ago.

He also was close to winning the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes here last June, but Changingoftheguard edged him out by a short head.

Unlikely to win here but not completely dismissed with an ability to go well. William Buick will do the steering.