Hackwood Stakes Guide 2021

Kings Lynn was well fancied in both his races at the Royal Meeting however two luckless runs followed both encounters with market support, leaving Andrew Balding posing the question of what might have been.

A smaller field may be the answer for the son of Cable Bay, with him less likely to encounter trouble in running, and he seems the type to improve for the first time step up into Group company.

The 4yo is versatile groundwise and should appreciate good conditions whilst he is equipped with British champion jockey Oisin Murphy on board.

Trainer Owen Burrows is looking to land back to back Hackwood Stakes with his 6yo gelding, Tabdeed, who won this race 12 months ago under similar conditions.

The son of Havana Gold's prep has been similar to that of last years having opened his seasons account once again at Newcastle finishing a respectable 4th in the Chipchase stakes (G3, 6f) behind Chil Chil who subsequently ran well in the Group 1 July Cup next time out.

Tabdeed tired in the final half furlong last time out and is more than entitled to come on for that run now stripping fitter for todays affair with that run under his belt.

Burrows has quoted that he would like the ground to be neither faster or softer than good for his entrant, conditions he is looking very likely to get come post time, thereby giving his runner a leading chance.

Clive Cox is yet to win the Hackwood Stakes and tries his hand in the Group 3 sporting entrant, Dilligent Harry who has been highly progressive on the all-weather this season.

The son of Due Dillgence has won races from Class 5 to Class 2 level before subsequently finishing 3rd in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes (6f) last time out, ahead of re-opposing rival Tabdeed.

This will be his first run on turf and if transferring that form from the all-weather, he holds decent claims in this, although its expected Tabdeed should reverse that last time out form given that was his first run of the season.

Richard Hannon won the Hackwood stakes in 2018 with Yafta and returns with entrant, Happy Romance, who was impressive last time out to finish a neck 3rd in the Sandown Coral Charge/ Sprint Stakes (G3, 5f).

The daughter of Dandy Man is well weighted for the Hackwood Stakes affair given both her 3yo and fillies allowances in the race and she now steps back up to 6f to be competitive.

She's a past Group 3 winner as a 2yo and landed a listed affair on the all-weather at Chelmsford this season giving her solid claims at stepping back up to land a race of this quality.

Having said this, her Newbury form above 5f doesn't read well with well-beaten 10th and 5th placed finishes this season, thereby giving her something to prove over C&D.

Charlie Appleby is in great form currently with a 25%+ strike rate over the past 14 days and he will be hoping to continue this rich spell with entrant, Royal Crusade.

The 4yo colt enjoyed a Group 3 (6f) win in Deauville, France on his final run last season beating the likes of Group 1 Ascot runner-up, Glen Shiel, and subsequently finished a respectable 7th in Group 1 company (6f) in the UAE on his 2nd run back this season.

The son of Shamardal may of been to lesser effect back on British soil last time out at Newmarket (G3, 7f) however the drop back down to 6f upon more suited 'good' ground conditions looks to play into the hands of Appleby's entrant.

William Buick, much like his trainer, is in terrific form currently and is employed to do the steering on board.

Trainer Charlie Hills is a twice winner of the Hackwood Stakes in 2015 and 2017 and he's represented by 4yo colt, Royal Commando, in the market.

Clearly an impressive 2yo given his trainers confidence in throwing Royal Commando into Group affairs, the runner was a shock 250/1 4th in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (6f) last season at Ascot.

Unsuccessful tries in France and up at 7f followed, however the son of No Nay Never ran home a ready winner in listed company on his seasonal return at Doncaster and he was once again thrown into Group 1 company next time out in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f) by which he finished 9th on unsuited soft ground.

The drop in class to a Group 3 and the return to better ground will definitely play into the hands of Royal Commando and at a price, he looks the value pick in this field with the in-form Marco Ghiani booked on board.

Martyn Meade trained Method was a ready 2yo winner on his last visit to Newbury over C&D, landing listed spoils on just his 2nd career start.

The son of Mehmas was subsequently thrown into Group company and has been well beaten in his 2 Group 1 entrances to date although his runner up finish to Winter Power in a Group 3 does read well for his chances, albeit being a 3 length beating.

The 3yo remains of an unknown quality and this Group 3 may just be achievable despite him needing to step up on recent efforts.

The market should be a tell tale guide to his actual chances given his patchy form lines.