June 22 / 15.05 Ascot

15.05

Good To Firm

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

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

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Windy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 2-1111 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Four wins in Bahrain from December to March (1m2f-1m4f, good/good to firm) and transferred that improvement back to Britain with a Listed win at Goodwood (1m2f, good) last month; this is a tougher test of his credentials but he could have more left in the tank, especially now back up to 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Isle Of Jura

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Scott

Thrived in first half of last year and won the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last June; absent with injury subsequently but he'll be very tough to beat if returning close to his best.

3/1

1st

7

(5)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Isle Of Jura

9st 3lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

Four wins in Bahrain from December to March (1m2f-1m4f, good/good to firm) and transferred that improvement back to Britain with a Listed win at Goodwood (1m2f, good) last month; this is a tougher test of his credentials but he could have more left in the tank, especially now back up to 1m4f.

9/1

1st

1

(8)

24th May 2024

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Isle Of Jura

9st 6lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

towards rear, headway from 3f out, ridden and pressed leaders over 1f out, led final 110yds, kept on well

7/2

20/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: 14-214 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced and progressive 4yo who made all to win by 3l in Group 3 at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) last month; another good run when fourth in Group 2 at Chantilly (1m4f, heavy) last time but further improvement is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

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

2nd

6

(1)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Goliath

9st 3lb

J: Maxime Guyon

T: F-H Graffard

Lightly raced and progressive 4yo who made all to win by 3l in Group 3 at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) last month; another good run when fourth in Group 2 at Chantilly (1m4f, heavy) last time but further improvement is needed.

20/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.25

Form: 1171-1 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Won the Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August and bounced back from soft-ground St Leger flop for Listed win here (1m6f, good) last October; returned with win in Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury (1m4f, good) last month, when clear with one who readily went one better in Listed race next time; this 4yo is firmly on the up for his top yard; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(4)

27th Jul 2024

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Middle Earth

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Well held in soft-ground St Leger; otherwise a largely progressive sort at up to 1m6f; has dropped back to 1m4f this season, getting up on the line at Newbury (Group 3) then respectable third at Royal Ascot (Group 2) where a stronger pace would have suited; remains of interest, with this race likely to pan out favourably.

9/1

3rd

8

(8)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Middle Earth

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won the Melrose Handicap at York (1m6f, good to firm) last August and bounced back from soft-ground St Leger flop for Listed win here (1m6f, good) last October; returned with win in Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury (1m4f, good) last month, when clear with one who readily went one better in Listed race next time; this 4yo is firmly on the up for his top yard; player.

5/2

1st

7

(5)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Middle Earth

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won the highly competitive Melrose Handicap at last year's Ebor meeting (1m6f, good to firm); well behind Desert Hero in the St Leger next time (only time he's tackled soft ground) but resumed his progression with success in a 1m6f Ascot Listed race (good) on his final 3yo start; everything about his profile points to him doing even better at four.

4/1

Form: 3125-1 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Bolted up in C&D handicap at this meeting in 2022 and his two subsequent wins have come in Listed races, the latest at the Curragh (1m4f, good) four weeks ago on reappearance; on the balance of his form he's a shade vulnerable now back up in grade but his performances at Ascot suggest he's worth a second look (good third in C&D Group 3 in October 2022 on last course visit).
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

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Candleford

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Haggas

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

13:50 Newbury

Candleford

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

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

13:20 Goodwood

Candleford

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

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

OUR TIP

6/4

Form: 82115- D

Last run: 265 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago (good to firm) before commanding wins in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur (1m4f, good to firm) and Group 1 St Leger (1m6f, soft); fine fifth in the Arc (1m4f, good to soft) last October when last seen; lacks a recent run but he's the one to beat if at the top of his game on this reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

16:10 Ascot

Continuous

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won the St Leger and fifth in the Arc in 2023 but has failed to repeat the form since and is reduced to pacemaking duties these days; as in the Coronation Cup two starts ago, looks set to cut out the fractions for stablemate Jan Brueghel before eventually being swallowed up.

125/1

8th

3

(7)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Continuous

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

2023 was his heyday, when winning the St Leger and fifth in the Arc; career has taken some disappointing turns since last autumn and he could be set for a front-running role at a big price today, as on his last two starts.

100/1

4

(4)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Continuous

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Ended his 2023 campaign with a success in the St Leger and good effort in the Arc; modest strike-rate since and has become inconsistent too; possibly in here as pacemaker for stablemate Jan Brueghel.

66/1

50/1

Form: 71/673

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Won 2yo Group 2 in September 2022; missed all of last year and kept on for an encouraging third in Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good to yielding) last month on third start back; doesn't have White Birch or Auguste Rodin to worry about today and the step up to 1m4f may be a positive, but he was beaten 11l last time and needs a sizeable step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(7)

25th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

1m 0f 50y

16:25 Limerick

Crypto Force

10st 0lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Robson De Aguiar

Classy 2yo won a three runner race Gowran last July, his third win on turf; has failed to fire since and was never sighted in the Irish Lincolnshire last time, although heavy ground may not have suited; sliding mark but others appeal more.

16/1

13th

9

(25)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Crypto Force

9st 0lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Robson De Aguiar

Smart juvenile in 2022, winner of the Group 2 Beresford Stakes; has come down in the world in recent seasons and has been competing over longer trips on AW; makes little appeal despite career-low mark.

25/1

5th

2

(3)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:00 Dundalk (AW)

Crypto Force

9st 6lb

J: Mikey Sheehy

T: Robson De Aguiar

One of two for yard; sole win last season came in three-runner Gowran conditions race (9.5f); two middling efforts in handicaps since joining this yard, including a fourth behind Gaucher in December; last year's winner Dallas Star has better claims.

12/1

25/1

Form: 12-114

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Made debut last October and sole defeat among his first four runs (1m2f-1m4f, all AW) came behind Rebel Romance, who has since won two Group 1s; well-beaten fourth in Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on last month's turf debut (1m2f, good to yielding; stablemate Crypto Force third) but perhaps today's faster ground will help and he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(6)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Elegant Man

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

Made debut last October and sole defeat among his first four runs (1m2f-1m4f, all AW) came behind Rebel Romance, who has since won two Group 1s; well-beaten fourth in Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on last month's turf debut (1m2f, good to yielding; stablemate Crypto Force third) but perhaps today's faster ground will help and he's not ruled out.

25/1

4th

3

(5)

26th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 110y

15:10 Curragh

Elegant Man

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

soon pressed leader, joined leader over 3f out, weakened gradually from under 2f out

11/2

4th

3

(5)

26th May 2024

Good

1m 2f 110y

15:10 Curragh

Elegant Man

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Adrian Murray

Has won three of his four starts, all on AW, notably a fine performance at Newcastle last time in winning the valuable Easter Classic Handicap under top-weight, making all; now rated a very respectable 113 but hard to know how effectively he will cope at this level on his first turf attempt.

11/2

Form: 113-25 CD BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won C&D handicap (good) at this meeting 12 months ago and followed up in Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (1m4f, soft); campaign concluded with third to Continuous in the St Leger (1m6f, soft) and returned with near-miss over inadequate 1m2f in Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (good to soft); disappointing at Newbury since but the Sandown effort firmly indicated he was set for a very good year, and he can play a leading role if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Desert Hero

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won C&D handicap (good) at this meeting 12 months ago and followed up in Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (1m4f, soft); campaign concluded with third to Continuous in the St Leger (1m6f, soft) and returned with near-miss over inadequate 1m2f in Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (good to soft); disappointing at Newbury since but the Sandown effort firmly indicated he was set for a very good year, and he can play a leading role if bouncing back.

13/2

5th

3

(7)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Desert Hero

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Most progressive at three, winning Royal Ascot handicap and Group 3 Gordon at Goodwood (both 1m4f) before fine third in the St Leger (gelded after); excellent effort when only narrowly denied in 1m2f Sandown Group 3 on reappearance; the return to 1m4f looks sure to see him in a better light and he'll be tough to beat for a yard with good recent record in this.

11/8

5th

3

(7)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Desert Hero

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Most progressive at three, winning Royal Ascot handicap and Group 3 Gordon at Goodwood (both 1m4f) before fine third in the St Leger (gelded after); excellent effort when only narrowly denied in 1m2f Sandown Group 3 on reappearance; the return to 1m4f looks sure to see him in a better light and he'll be tough to beat for a yard with good recent record in this.

11/8

Form: 02-112 C

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won the Golden Gates handicap at Royal Ascot two years ago (1m2f, good to firm) for George Boughey; now trained in the US and won two Grade 3s there (1m2f/1m4f, firm) earlier this year; split two Charlie Appleby runners in Grade 2 at Keeneland (1m4f, firm) in April when last seen and that form reads well; could be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(3)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Missed The Cut

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: John W Sadler

Won the Golden Gates handicap at Royal Ascot two years ago (1m2f, good to firm) for George Boughey; now trained in the US and won two Grade 3s there (1m2f/1m4f, firm) earlier this year; split two Charlie Appleby runners in Grade 2 at Keeneland (1m4f, firm) in April when last seen and that form reads well; could be involved.

10/1

1st

9

(10)

12th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Missed The Cut

9st 1lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: George Boughey

towards rear, switched right over 3f out, headway on outer home turn, ridden over 1f out, still plenty to do when went second inside final furlong, kept on strongly inside final 110yds, led post

2/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £344.10
Straight Forecast £257.04
Tricast £893.31
Trifecta £1179.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Continuous

POSTDATA:

Middle Earth

Telegraph:

Desert Hero

D Express:

Elegant Man

SPOTLIGHT:

Isle Of Jura

The Times:

Candleford

TOPSPEED:

Continuous

The Guardian:

Continuous

Daily Mirror:

Continuous

The Sun:

Continuous

Daily Record:

Continuous

NEWMARKET:

Middle Earth

Daily Mail:

Middle Earth

The Star:

Desert Hero