June 20 / 15.05 Ascot

15.05

Good To Firm

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £141775
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 1
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £2.75

Form: 142-33 D

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Has finished in front of Kalpana twice but that rival had excuses both times; far from certain to confirm the placings but he's still one of the main players on the figures back down in grade; his Group 1 form features a success and creditable second in the last two runnings of the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin (1m4f, good); unsuited by the way the race panned out at Meydan latest start.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Giavellotto

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Marco Botti

Has finished in front of Kalpana twice but that rival had excuses both times; far from certain to confirm the placings but he's still one of the main players on the figures back down in grade; his Group 1 form features a success and creditable second in the last two runnings of the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin (1m4f, good); unsuited by the way the race panned out at Meydan latest start.

8/1

1st

2

(3)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 1

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Giavellotto

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Marco Botti

Absent since finishing third in the Coronation Cup three months ago; successful several times when fresh, most recently in 1m4f Group 1 at Sha Tin last December; big player dropped back in grade and he is 2-2 on AW.

11/4

5

(5)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Giavellotto

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Marco Botti

Campaigned mostly at 1m6f-2m; took his form to a new level in two attempts over 1m4f last year, winning Group 2 at Newmarket (good to soft) and Group 1 at Sha Tin (good); behind Calandagan in the Sheema Classic two months ago but isn't fully exposed at this trip.

9/2

9/4

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2271-1 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Very smart mare who defied a penalty in Group 3 at Newbury (1m4f; beat West Wind Blows by a neck) on seasonal debut, taking record since wearing cheekpieces to 2-3 and running right up to her best; strong record at Ascot features wins in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes for the last two years (soft/good) and an excellent second in the 2025 King George; avoids a Group 1 penalty in this race and has a major chance at the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Kalpana

9st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Very smart mare who defied a penalty in Group 3 at Newbury (1m4f; beat West Wind Blows by a neck) on seasonal debut, taking record since wearing cheekpieces to 2-3 and running right up to her best; strong record at Ascot features wins in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes for the last two years (soft/good) and an excellent second in the 2025 King George; avoids a Group 1 penalty in this race and has a major chance at the weights.

9/4

1st

1

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Kalpana

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Had excellent campaigns in 2024 and 2025, both of which ended with Group 1 success in good style against her own sex on Champions Day at Ascot; she also started last season with a big run in an Irish Group 1 and was an excellent second in the King George at Ascot in July; wore cheekpieces last two starts; concedes 4lb to male rivals today but probably still the one to beat.

10/11

9/2

  • Place: £1.45

Form: 103-21 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; has shown very smart form in various parts of the world, most recently prevailing in Group 2 contest in France where he is trained; record over C&D comprises a creditable second in this race and easy success (recorded peak RPR) in the King George, both in 2024; gained his other Group 1 win on German soil last season; strong contender on belated return to this venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(10)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Goliath

9st 3lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: F-H Graffard

Acts on any ground; has shown very smart form in various parts of the world, most recently prevailing in Group 2 contest in France where he is trained; record over C&D comprises a creditable second in this race and easy success (recorded peak RPR) in the King George, both in 2024; gained his other Group 1 win on German soil last season; strong contender on belated return to this venue.

9/2

1st

3

(6)

27th Jul 2024

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Goliath

9st 9lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: F-H Graffard

Acts on any ground; steadily progressive French gelding who is a Group 3 winner on home soil; ran well in the Hardwicke (Group 2) over C&D most recently, though proved no match for the winner; faces a considerably stiffer assignment upped further in grade.

25/1

Form: 214-12 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Dual Group 1 winner who has a record of 6-9 overall and had a mitigating factor (set an unsuitably steady pace) in his 2025 King George defeat in sole C&D attempt; played a distant second fiddle last time when bidding for a Coronation Cup double at Epsom but nothing behind the winner showed their form in the rain-soaked conditions; the peak form he showed when beating Calandagan 12 months earlier gives him a big chance in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Jan Brueghel

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Dual Group 1 winner who has a record of 6-9 overall and had a mitigating factor (set an unsuitably steady pace) in his 2025 King George defeat in sole C&D attempt; played a distant second fiddle last time when bidding for a Coronation Cup double at Epsom but nothing behind the winner showed their form in the rain-soaked conditions; the peak form he showed when beating Calandagan 12 months earlier gives him a big chance in this field.

9/2

2nd

5

(1)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Jan Brueghel

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

High-class performer who has a record of 6-8 overall and 2-3 at Group 1 level, adding to his 2024 St Leger win when knuckling down the better to beat Calandagan in this contest (good to soft) 12 months ago; combination of cheekpieces and setting an unsuitably steady pace perhaps contributed to his King George defeat behind that rival; reappearance success in the Ormonde at Chester (1m5f, good) sets him up nicely for another Coronation Cup bid.

11/4

Form: 13-144 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Generally consistent performer who wasn't disgraced on bare figures at Chester (1m5f) last time but finished almost 8l behind Jan Brueghel, getting nowhere near to defying a penalty for his Group 2 Saudi handicap win (1m7f); faces a stiff task and needs help from first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(11)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Sons And Lovers

9st 3lb

J: Pierre-Charles Boudot

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Generally consistent performer who wasn't disgraced on bare figures at Chester (1m5f) last time but finished almost 8l behind Jan Brueghel, getting nowhere near to defying a penalty for his Group 2 Saudi handicap win (1m7f); faces a stiff task and needs help from first-time headgear.

66/1

4th

1

(2)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Sons And Lovers

9st 7lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Very useful for current yard; has been on his travels this year, winning 1m7f handicap at Riyadh then creditable fourth over 2m at Meydan, both Group 2; however, incurs 5lb penalty and faces a stiffer assignment conceding weight all round in this field.

16/1

3rd

2

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Sons And Lovers

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Several decent efforts in defeat at Listed/Group 3 level for Jane Chapple-Hyam in 2024 and again earlier this term before making the breakthrough at this level in Ballyroan Stakes over C&D last month, dictating throughout on first attempt at this trip; stiffer task here.

13/2

6th
1 (12)
Amiloc

16/1

Form: 1124-6 CD BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Unraced on ground slower than good to yielding; disappointing favourite in the Yorkshire Cup on reappearance but that's his only blip in an otherwise progressive career; justified favouritism in the King Edward VII Stakes over C&D at this meeting (good to firm) 12 months ago, taking record at that time to 5-5, then ran well in the Irish St Leger and Breeders' Cup Turf; possibilities, provided his upward trajectory is resumed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(12)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Amiloc

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Unraced on ground slower than good to yielding; disappointing favourite in the Yorkshire Cup on reappearance but that's his only blip in an otherwise progressive career; justified favouritism in the King Edward VII Stakes over C&D at this meeting (good to firm) 12 months ago, taking record at that time to 5-5, then ran well in the Irish St Leger and Breeders' Cup Turf; possibilities, provided his upward trajectory is resumed.

16/1

6th

2

(2)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Amiloc

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Seven races and improved with each one; raised to Group 1 last autumn for his only defeats, when second in the 1m6f Irish St Leger and fourth in the 1m4f Breeders' Cup Turf; one of the top two on form and should have a big shout.

6/4

2nd

9

(3)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Amiloc

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Sole 3yo runner and a smart one at that, unbeaten in five career starts, notably this year twice at Goodwood and when showing good attitude to hold off subsequent Group 3 winner Zahrann in 1m4f Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot; has had a break since and unknown territory here in terms of trip and ground.

7/2

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 311-61 D

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Versatile as regards ground; French colt whose form on British soil comprises a good third at Royal Ascot and success at Glorious Goodwood last term, both in 1m2f handicaps; beat West Wind Blows by 3l in Group 3 at Longchamp most recently, making it four wins from his last six starts and taking record over 1m4f to 2-2; progressive and may well rate higher still, especially at this trip; faces hotter company upped to this big stage but warrants respect the way he's going.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Best Secret

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Wattel

Versatile as regards ground; French colt whose form on British soil comprises a good third at Royal Ascot and success at Glorious Goodwood last term, both in 1m2f handicaps; beat West Wind Blows by 3l in Group 3 at Longchamp most recently, making it four wins from his last six starts and taking record over 1m4f to 2-2; progressive and may well rate higher still, especially at this trip; faces hotter company upped to this big stage but warrants respect the way he's going.

8/1

1st

1

(2)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:20 Goodwood

Best Secret

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Wattel

Trained in France, where he won a handicap in April (1m2f, good to soft), and he was a 1l third of 15 in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot last month (1m2f, good to firm; clear of the fourth) when he had plenty of ground to make up in the straight; respected despite 5lb rise.

7/2

3rd

4

(5)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Best Secret

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Wattel

Five races in France, progressing well; latest was handicap debut at Longchamp (1m2f) in April in which he passed 14 of his 15 rivals in the last two and a half furlongs to win by 3l; the ground was officially good to soft but times suggested much firmer; promising recruit to the Wathnan team.

6/1

Form: /111-5 CD

Last run: 84 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Ploughed a remarkable path last year, having gone from running well at the Cheltenham Festival to completing a prestigious Flat hat-trick (1m4f/1m6f, firm/good to firm) that comprised wins in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, Ebor at York and Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar; best to forgive his below-par effort behind two of today's rivals at Meydan in sole run this term (race panned out unfavourably); notable contender, with his excellent 2025 progress still in mind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(9)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Ethical Diamond

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: W P Mullins

Ploughed a remarkable path last year, having gone from running well at the Cheltenham Festival to completing a prestigious Flat hat-trick (1m4f/1m6f, firm/good to firm) that comprised wins in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot, Ebor at York and Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar; best to forgive his below-par effort behind two of today's rivals at Meydan in sole run this term (race panned out unfavourably); notable contender, with his excellent 2025 progress still in mind.

9/1

1st

6

(21)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Ethical Diamond

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: W P Mullins

A bit tricky to settle and he was hooded for first time in a Flat race in 18-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) nine weeks ago, coming with a relentless run from mid-division to lead final 1f and score with great authority; has an 8lb higher mark today and a longer trip, but he made up a lot of late ground to take fourth in the 2m1f County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and the best of him on the Flat is probably still to come.

11/2

1st

18

(7)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Ethical Diamond

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

Tricky to settle but fourth in this race last year (good to firm) off 2lb lower and the same this March in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham; ran respectably in his latest hurdle race too and this is his first time hooded in a Flat race; considered.

4/1

Form: 1-1916 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Enhanced his good strike-rate in Bahrain with Group 3 success in April; weakened into last of six (well below par) at Newbury since and it's nearly two years since he last prevailed on home soil; doubts are cemented by this difficult assignment back up in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(5)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Phantom Flight

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Scott

Enhanced his good strike-rate in Bahrain with Group 3 success in April; weakened into last of six (well below par) at Newbury since and it's nearly two years since he last prevailed on home soil; doubts are cemented by this difficult assignment back up in grade.

66/1

6th

2

(6)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Phantom Flight

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: George Scott

Four Listed wins before he added a 1m4f Group 3 success in Bahrain 15 days ago; stacks of smart form in his lengthy career and none of it better than that latest start, but a bit extra will be needed to win this.

9/1

1

(9)

26th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:15 Dundalk (AW)

Phantom Flight

9st 10lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: George Scott

Dual Listed winner at 1m2f and close to his best form the last twice in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown and the Listed Wolferton at Royal Ascot; off since that last run in June but has a positive record when fresh; every chance as reverting back to the AW won't be an issue; he might be capable of conceding weight all round.

5/1

20/1

Form: 154-13 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Winner of the 2025 Derby; has worn cheekpieces this season, gamely beating Bay City Roller in the Huxley at Chester (good-ground Group 2) then failing by a long way to confirm the placings in a one-sided Coronation Cup on softer going; behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in that contest and is still a tad inferior to that horse on ratings but it will be interesting to see what he can do in the retained headgear returned to a forecast faster surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Winner of the 2025 Derby; has worn cheekpieces this season, gamely beating Bay City Roller in the Huxley at Chester (good-ground Group 2) then failing by a long way to confirm the placings in a one-sided Coronation Cup on softer going; behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in that contest and is still a tad inferior to that horse on ratings but it will be interesting to see what he can do in the retained headgear returned to a forecast faster surface.

20/1

3rd

6

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Lambourn

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Most wins on good ground but has form on soft; held on by only a neck from Bay City Roller on better terms in the Huxley (1m2f Group 2) at Chester on seasonal debut but proved game in first-time cheekpieces and, based on Ryan Moore's post-race comments, will come on for the run; notable contender in the retained headgear returned to the scene of his biggest moment, namely a clearcut success in last year's Derby (followed up in the Irish version).

13/2

Form: 112-12 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Versatile as regards ground; broadly progressive and versatile mare whose strike-rate is 7-13; last four performances (1m4f-1m7f) were two wins at Group 2 level and second-place finishes in Group 1 races, beaten only narrowly at Longchamp most recently; currently falls short of the standard set by the other female in this field but has a trajectory that bodes well; wears first-time headgear; adds interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

12

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Santorini Star

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Versatile as regards ground; broadly progressive and versatile mare whose strike-rate is 7-13; last four performances (1m4f-1m7f) were two wins at Group 2 level and second-place finishes in Group 1 races, beaten only narrowly at Longchamp most recently; currently falls short of the standard set by the other female in this field but has a trajectory that bodes well; wears first-time headgear; adds interest.

16/1

1st

7

(7)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Santorini Star

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Upped to 2m for a handicap win at York Ebor meeting (good to firm) last August; tried front-running to positive effect against her own sex over about 1m6f on her subsequent two starts when winning the Group 2 Park Hill at Doncaster (good to soft) and second in Group 1 at Longchamp (very soft); has a form chance on this return but the stayer's mantle will have to be shed.

5/1

1st

5

(4)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Santorini Star

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Unraced on softer than good; fourth when she tried a Listed race and Irish Group 3 this summer, coming from last to fourth in a steadily run race for the latter over 1m6f, despite hanging right; 2m duly proved just the ticket back in a handicap at York three weeks ago, asserting late on; perhaps testing ground will offset today's shorter distance; chance if so.

6/1

Form: -42222

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a weaker edition of this contest in 2023; benefited from good tactical ride when almost certainly flattered by his proximity to Calandagan in Meydan Group 1 in March and received 4lb when only a neck behind Kalpana at Newbury most recently; worse off with that mare and has never won above Group 3 level but is otherwise a consistent sort who should again give his running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.60
Straight Forecast £28.23
Tricast £87.54
Trifecta £117.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Kalpana

POSTDATA:

Goliath

SPOTLIGHT:

Best Secret

The Star:

Santorini Star

NEWMARKET:

Phantom Flight

D Express:

Best Secret

TOPSPEED:

Kalpana

LAMBOURN:

Kalpana

The Guardian:

Kalpana

Daily Mirror:

Kalpana

The Sun:

Kalpana

The Times:

Goliath

Telegraph:

Goliath

Daily Mail:

Goliath

Daily Record:

Goliath