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16:20 Royal Ascot

Saturday 24 June 2023

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

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 2m 29.6s

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(6)

Ardakan^p⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James McDonald| T: M Botti| OR: 110

18/1

Smart ex-German-trained colt who made a sound start for his new stable when reaching the frame 3 times in Meydan earlier in the year. Likely to find a few too strong on this British debut, though.

Form: 834-324

(1)

Changingoftheguard⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| BF| CD

7/1

Edged out Grand Alliance to win King Edward at this meeting last year. Not seen again until a creditable third in Group 2 Ormonde at Chester (13f, heavy) last month, fading in the closing stages having cut out a lot of the running. More needed here but he might find it.

Form: 2/1151-3

(3)

Deauville Legend²³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 116| BF| D

17/2

Most progressive last year, winning twice at Group level (including Great Voltigeur at York) and excellent fourth of 22 in Melbourne Cup on final outing. Could easily raise his game again this year.

Form: 121214-

(2)

Grand Alliance^p⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Fellowes| OR: 106| D

18/1

Smart gelding who probably would have beaten Changingoftheguard in the last year's King Edward but for hanging badly left in the closing stages. Gained an overdue success at pattern level in the Group 3 John Porter on his reappearance but this demands more of him.

Form: 02853-1

(5)

Pyledriver³³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P J McDonald| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 124| CD

7/2

Career best when winning King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over C&D (good to firm) last July. Escapes a penalty for that but there's got to be a chance he'll need this comeback run to put him spot on for a defence of his King George crown next month.

Form: 12/0421-

(7)

West Wind Blows¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 111| BF

13/2

Landed a second 1¼m Longchamp Group 3 success of his career when seeing off 7 rivals 13 days ago. Did enough to suggest he stays 1½m when third in Newmarket Group 2 on his reappearance but improvement will be needed to come out on top here.

Form: 1613-D1

(8)

Free Wind³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| D

6/4

Very talented mare who made it 6 wins in her last 7 starts when seeing off Wednesday's Duke of Cambridge winner Rogue Millennium in the Group 2 Middleton on her 1¼m York reappearance. Return to further will suit and she could take a bit of stopping with further progress on the cards.

Form: 1211/1-1

Non-Runners

(4)

Hukum³⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: Owen Burrows J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Free Wind (6/4), Hukum (7/4), Pyledriver (7/2), West Wind Blows (13/2), Changingoftheguard (7/1), Deauville Legend (17/2), Grand Alliance (18/1), Ardakan (18/1)

FREE WIND's Middleton Stakes form received a boost when the runner-up took the Duke of Cambridge earlier in the week and George Strawbridge's 5-y-o can mark herself down as a contender for top honours in the second half of this season by claiming the scalp of last month's Brigadier Gerard winner Hukum. Deauville Legend may prove best of the remainder.