15.05
Good To FirmHardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
- Prize money: £141775
- 1m 3f 211y
- Class 1
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly sunny
5/2 (Won)
- Win: £2.50
- Place: £1.40
Form: 11-141 D
Last run: 36 days
W: 9st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 123
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (1) |
9th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 11lb |
Tremendous international performer who has won 21 of 31 races, amassing more than £12m in prize-money; two of last year's winning highlights were over 1m4f on fast ground at Royal Ascot and in the USA, and he was an odds-on scorer at Meydan in February on his only start this term; highly reliable too, so he looks hard to beat despite conceding 3lb all round. |
Evs |
|
4 (1) |
26th Jul 2025 Good 1m 3f 211y Class 1 |
9st 9lb |
Glorious globetrotter whose Group/Grade 1 record is 7-11 and overall strike-rate is 18-26; has done his winning at a lower level this year, mostly recently in the Hardwicke (Group 2) at Royal Ascot; thoroughly admirable and had an excuse (raced closer to the strong pace than ideal) when about 5l third in this race 12 months ago but he's a 7yo now and no horse older than six has won the King George. |
9/2 |
|
1st 9 (11) |
21st Jun 2025 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Globetrotter who won 1m4f Group/Grade 1 races in Dubai, Hong Kong, Germany and the US last year; not at his very best when beating Epic Poet by a head in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup at York (good to firm) last month but that was 1m6f and he was conceding 5lb to the winner (level weights today); leading contender if at the top of his game now back down to 1m4f. |
5/2 |
9/2
- Place: £1.80
Form: 210-34 D
Last run: 55 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 (1) |
19th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 4y |
9st 11lb |
Won this event by 5l last year as a prelude to a handsome Irish St Leger success, adding to Group 1 wins in the 2022 National Stakes and in Germany in 2024; finished seventh of 24 in last year's Melbourne Cup; best of three runs this season when third in a Group 1 event over almost 2m at Longchamp; back in his comfort zone trip-wise after Ascot Gold Cup fourth. |
7/4 |
|
4th 2 (8) |
18th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 3f 210y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Second at last year's Royal Ascot in the 1m4f Hardwicke and 4l winner of the 1m6f Irish St Leger; ran on strongly from out the back when seventh in the Melbourne Cup (2m) in November and ended up third to Caballo De Mar in blanket finish to a Longchamp Group 1 (nearly 2m) four weeks ago, having been last of nine 2f out; those do not mean he's an assured stayer on this move up to 2m4f but he brings among the best form and has to enter calculations. |
8/1 |
6/1
- Place: £2.20
Form: 335-46 C
Last run: 27 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 118
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 3 (7) |
29th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 99y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Placed in several Group 1s when trained by Clive Cox; returning from a year off when down the field in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot on stable debut and then ran perfectly well in a Group 3 at Goodwood, albeit one that was steadily run; unlikely he's as good as he was, but still makes plenty of appeal at this level; goes on all ground. |
7/2 |
|
4th 3 (4) |
1st Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 218y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
He was returning from a year off when down the field in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot in June, and may have needed that first run for Kevin Philippart De Foy; classy performer for Clive Cox prior to £2,000,000 sale, making the frame in several Group 1s, and can have a big say if back to his best. |
6/1 |
|
12th 8 (4) |
16th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 1f 212y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Sold on the eve of this meeting last year for £2,000,000 and finished a creditable third to Rebel's Romance and Al Riffa in the Group 2 Hardwicke (1m4f, good to firm) a few days later; withdrawn after rearing over being saddled up on an intended start at last year's Newmarket July meeting; subsequently left Clive Cox and hasn't been seen since. |
8/1 |
16/1
Form: 430-35
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 6 (5) |
1st May 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Peak efforts were as a 3yo but reappearance at Meydan this January saw his first win since 2023; nearly won another 1m6f Group 3 there next time, before a headstrong display (set up big lead) saw him tail off in 2m Dubai Gold Cup five weeks ago; the latter was in blinkers (first time since September) which are unsurprisingly left off today; thereabouts if bouncing back. |
8/1 |
|
4 (8) |
12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
No win since Group 1 as 2yo; good third, however, in the 14.5f St Leger here one year ago and only half a length behind Sweet William when trying 2m in the Goodwood Cup on penultimate outing; hampered at 1m4f latest; into new territory over this trip but Goodwood Cup suggests he is a serious player. |
5/1 |
|
4th 5 (4) |
29th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 12lb |
Probably okay on any going; runner-up in last season's Irish Derby and third in the St Leger; those are the clear highlights in form terms but his always-prominent fourth of 12 in Group 2 Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last month in first-time blinkers was much more like it again; this is a new trip but he's stuck to his task well on those best efforts over 1m4f/14.5f. |
12/1 |
20/1
Form: 315-22
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 (4) |
15th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 61y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap at York in August 2024; 0-10 since but runner-up in six of those races, including at York (1m6f) on last two starts in close finishes also involving Mount Atlas (who now carries a 3lb penalty); the lack of a recent win has become frustrating, particularly as he had the initiative for most of the closing stages last time, losing it in the last three strides; cheekpieces (tried once last term, runner-up) return; second to Dubai Honour in terms of form. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 5 (2) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 0lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap over C&D in August 2024; 0-9 since but he was runner-up in five of those races, including when beaten a neck in C&D Listed event four weeks ago, narrowly in front of Mount Atlas; the lack of a recent win is a touch frustrating but he's clearly a leading contender. |
15/8 |
|
2nd 6 (3) |
13th Jun 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap here in 2024 (good to firm; for 3yos) and another good run over C&D (good to firm) when third in this last year, 4l behind Al Qareem; not at his best at Ascot last month following a break, and there's a suspicion he may find one or two too good even if back to his peak, but he might not be far away. |
7/1 |
10/1
Form: 123-14 CD BF
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 3lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 (8) |
1st Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 218y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
9yo who has won the last two runnings of this race (good to firm/good to soft) and has run well on both starts this season, most recently posting a cosy Listed win at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm); leading claims. |
2/1 |
|
1st 2 (6) |
4th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 23y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Dual Group 3 scorer at Sandown (1m2f) and Goodwood (1m4f) in 2025; resumed from six months off with a very good second of six in Newbury's John Porter Stakes in April so this veteran looks the one to beat dropped into Listed company here. |
8/13 |
|
2nd 3 (5) |
18th Apr 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Held up; eight Group 3 wins are already in the bag, including this race in 2021 (his only appearance in it); has a slightly mixed reappearance record but he was almost as good as ever with his two wins last term, including first time out, and a return to that level would make this 9yo the one to beat. |
5/2 |
20/1
Form: 0416-4 C
Last run: 23 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 14 (4) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 3lb |
2023 Royal Ascot winner who has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; one of the market leaders in this in 2024 but came 12th; his attentions have been focused on the Flat this year but he hasn't been in peak form, 11th off this reduced mark behind Hopewell Rock last time; there's a chance that return to softer ground today will help; something needs to. |
66/1 |
|
11th 3 (7) |
1st Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
2023 Royal Ascot winner who has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; his attentions have been turned back to the Flat this year and he hasn't been in peak form; falling in the weights but still needs a revival; good 5lb claimer is enlisted. |
33/1 |
|
6th 1 (2) |
4th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 0y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
2023 Royal Ascot winner who has also tasted the high life in top hurdle races; his attentions were turned back to the Flat for four races (UAE and Saudi Arabia) this January-March and he wasn't in peak form, before 12l tenth at Royal Ascot (1m4f; restless in the stalls) continued that trend; falling in the weights but needs a revival. |
40/1 |
25/1
Form: 21-516 D
Last run: 15 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 (5) |
2nd May 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 2 |
10st 0lb |
Seemingly ring-rusty on Group 3 return at Newbury two weeks ago, the same story as in 2025 when he followed that race with a win at this meeting in a four-runner 1m4f Group 2 with first-time cheekpieces; they were kept for two modest efforts last June but have not been called on this season; this is his first handicap and he has a big chance if springing back to his best. |
7/1 |
|
5th 4 (7) |
18th Apr 2026 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Won Group 2 at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last May in first-time cheekpieces, which were kept for two modest efforts in June but not today; first run since a gelding operation in September; ring-rusty on his 2025 reappearance in this race and the market may reveal whether the same is expected this time. |
12/1 |
|
9th 3 (9) |
21st Jun 2025 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Displayed improved form in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) when winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month; flopped in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom subsequently but was reportedly unsuited by the good to soft ground; he could be just the type of older horse his trainer excels with and he's not ruled out. |
25/1 |
6/1
Form: 2244-5
Last run: 43 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 10 (1) |
21st Jun 2025 Good To Firm 1m 3f 211y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Ran well in defeat last season in Group 2s at this meeting (1m4f, good to firm) and at York (1m4f, good to firm); gelded in the off-season; this lightly raced 4yo is in top hands and may have needed last month's reappearance run at York, but improvement is required in first-time cheekpieces. |
6/1 |
|
5th 6 (2) |
9th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 70y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
took keen hold, towards rear, brief headway inside final furlong, never dangerous |
4/1 |
|
5th 6 (2) |
9th May 2025 Good 1m 2f 70y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
took keen hold, towards rear, brief headway inside final furlong, never dangerous |
4/1 |
16/1
Form: -13232
Last run: 36 days
W: 9st 3lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15th 2 (7) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
9st 11lb |
Not proven on worse than good to soft; fourth in this race in 2024; 7yo who is 0-13 since winning at Meydan in January 2025; has run really well in plenty of Group races in the interim, including the last two runnings of the Yorkshire Cup over C&D, but he ran a stinker in C&D Listed event in June and also disappointed here on latest start; big questions to answer after that. |
50/1 |
|
5th 3 (5) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 0lb |
7yo who is 0-12 since winning at Meydan in January 2025; has run really well in plenty of Group races in the interim, including the last two runnings of the Yorkshire Cup over C&D, but he ran a stinker in C&D Listed event four weeks ago; bang there if he bounces straight back. |
6/1 |
|
6th 2 (1) |
13th Jun 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
0-11 since winning at Meydan last January but he has run really well in Group races in the interim, including the last two runnings of the Yorkshire Cup over C&D; drops into a Listed race today and could be bang there. |
7/2 |
25/1
Form: 25/14- CD
Last run: 364 days
W: 9st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 110
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (5) |
6th Sep 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 3f 219y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Ran respectably in Group 3 events the last twice; creditable second in this race two years ago but faces a difficult task on ratings today and has never won above Listed level. |
25/1 |
|
3rd 2 (1) |
16th Aug 2025 Good To Firm 1m 5f 61y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
7yo who's been lightly raced in recent years; won one Listed race last May (made all) and another at Beverley (1m4f, good to firm) this July before his respectable, front-running third of five in Group 3 at Goodwood two weeks ago; there's a stamina query (after two attempts at 1m6f in 2022) and he may well need to show his best form for nearly two years. |
7/2 |
|
3rd 4 (1) |
2nd Aug 2025 Soft 1m 3f 218y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
7yo who's been lightly raced in recent years; has never raced on soft and not seen on good to soft since he was a bit below his best in this race in 2023; won one Listed race last May (made all) and another four weeks ago but he probably needs to return to 2023 form if he's to be competitive today. |
5/1 |
14/1
Form: 1416-3 D
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 111
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 |
7th Jan 2023 Soft 1m 7f 216y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
took keen hold, led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened |
20/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £12.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £6.47 |
| Tricast | £25.03 |
| Trifecta | £48.40 |
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