15:40 Royal Ascot

Saturday 18 June 2022

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

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 2m 30.07s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Away He Goes³⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: I Mohammed| OR: 112| D

25/1

Failed to win in 2021 but he did post a really smart effort when second to Trueshan in Goodwood Cup. Respectable seventh of 20 in Ebor at York on final start but up against it over shorter trip on reappearance.

Form: 253527-

(7)

Broome²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

6/1

Very smart horse who shaped as if in need of run when 6½ lengths fifth of 8 to Alenquer in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good) on seasonal return 27 days ago. Should be back closer to best this time and could match last year's second in this.

Form: 42020-5

(5)

Hurricane Lane²⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 123| D

8/11

Had an excellent 3-y-o season, winning 3 Group 1s (including Irish Derby and St Leger) and gave another really good account of himself when ¾-length third in Arc at Longchamp on final start. Escapes a penalty for his Group 1 successes. Hard to beat if close to his best on reappearance.

Form: 131113-

(4)

Layfayette⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: N Meade| OR: 109| D

11/1

Has taken his form up a notch this year, winning a Naas listed and a pair of Group events at the Curragh (all 1¼m). Stays this far but he will need a big career best to extend his winning sequence to 4.

Form: 363-111

(1)

Living Legend¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 112| D

18/1

In the form of his life this spring, winning valuable AW event at Newcastle on Good Friday and bagging the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over this trip at Newmarket a fortnight later. His good run did come to an abrupt halt when last of 6 in the Coronation Cup at Epsom a fortnight ago, though.

Form: 331116

(2)

Mostahdaf^p1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 117| BF

11/2

Took his record to an impressive 6-7 when taking the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown on his reappearance. Comprehensively outpointed by Bay Bridge in the Brigadier Gerard there since but no surprise were he to resume his progression now stepping up in trip with cheekpieces added.

Form: 1011-12

(3)

Solid Stone^p⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 112

14/1

Ended 2021 with a brace of small-field Group 3 wins. Well below par in Saudi Group 3 on reappearance but quickly back on track when seeing off 3 rivals in Group 2 Huxley at Chester last month. This looks a much deeper Group 2.

Form: 3411-01

Non-Runners

(8)

Third Realm²⁸

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: R Varian J: Andrea Atzeni

Forecasts

Hurricane Lane (8/11), Mostahdaf (11/2), Broome (6/1), Third Realm (8/1), Layfayette (11/1), Solid Stone (14/1), Living Legend (18/1), Away He Goes (25/1)

Lack of match practice is perhaps a slight concern but last year's triple Group 1 winner HURRICANE LANE is potentially a cut above this opposition and he can get his 4-y-o campaign off to a perfect start. Broome can leave his reappearance run behind and the fill the runner-up spot in this for the second year in succession. Mostahdaf may prove best of the remainder.