Hardwicke Stakes Guide - 19/06/20

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

The class horse of this field, having won the derby at Epsom last year although that was the last time, he tasted victory. He has rediscovered some of his form and should be hard to beat here.

The Irish Derby in which he finished second in was a mess and the King George on soft ground wouldn’t have suited but his runs in the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders Cup were encouraging.

He was second in the recent Group one Coronation Cup and should be fully wound up for this,

Trainer: Mark Johnston

Jockey: Jim Crowley

He really improved last season and finally steps up to a mile and a half here, something that he has seemingly been crying out for.

He was second in Brigadier Gerard last week and rallied towards the end and stayed on strongly in the Juddmonte International last season behind Japan and Crystal Ocean, no doubt his best form.

The step up in trip looks a huge positive and he should go close.

Trainer: John Gosden

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

This four-year old progressed well last season and won a Group three at Newmarket towards the back end of the season but taking on the boys here will require more.

He was also fourth in the Filly and Mare’s race in the Breeders Cup which is a strong piece of form itself and was second on seasonal reappearance in the Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock.

She should go well but will have to improve to tackle the boys.

Trainer: Roger Varian

Jockey: Andrea Atzeni

He enjoyed a successful campaign last season, winning the Group One Coronation Cup and this race itself before being put away for an autumn campaign in Meydan.

He was second in his only start there before racing was bought to a halt but was disappointing in this season’s Coronation Cup, finishing fifth.

He no doubt has the ability to challenge here but needs to leave his last run well behind.

Trainer: William Haggas

Jockey: James Doyle

He was hugely impressive when bolting up in a handicap at York at the back end of last season but failed to back that up at Newbury when just beaten.

Now four, you would expect him to improve again but will need to take his form to the next level if he is be competitive here, having not won outside of handicap company yet.

Trainer: Andrew Balding

Jockey: Silvestre De Sosua

He’s done almost all of his winning on soft ground so would need that it would seem to challenge here.

He won a Group three at Ascot at the end of last season and before that was beaten by Technican, who went onto win a Group one next time.

He also defeated Kew Gardens at Chester in May last year so has some smart pieces of form to his name, but he’ll need underfoot conditions to be seen to his best.

Trainer: Mark Johnston

Jockey: Joe Fanning

He was disappointing at Newmarket last time and needs to find more now to be competitive in group company.

He saw off Defoe when winning the Group two Jockey Club last year so on his day he can put up an impressive display but seems to require an easy lead, which he may not get and is a big price here.

Trainer: Andrew Balding

Jockey: Oisin Murphy

A recruit to the Andrew Balding yard and was sixth of seven in the Coronation Cup a couple of weeks back and reposes with a couple of them here, so this looks hard.

He did finish second in a Grade one last season when in America but was beaten by Desert Encounter who he takes on again here so this should be beyond his means.

Trainer: David Simcock

Jockey: William Buick

Another one of the big priced runners who enjoyed a good three-year-old career, winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket and claimed an Invitational race in America.

He will need to continue to improve here to tackle some of the market principles but shouldn’t be discounted.

Trainer: Michael Bell

Jockey: Danny Tudhope

His career best came at last year's Royal meeting when third to Japan and Bangkok in the King Edward Stakes but didn’t really kick on when ninth in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket and hasn’t been seen since.

He’s a big price and it’s difficult to make a case for him.

Trainer: David Simcock

Jockey: Tom Marquand

Another who comes here after running in the Coronation Cup, in which he finished stone last so would have to have come on from that massively if he was to reverse form with some of them.

The outsider of the lot and difficult to see him getting involved.