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15:05 Royal Ascot

Saturday 21 June 2025

Premier Race Meeting Logo
All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 1  |   1m 3f 211y  |   Good to Firm  |   12 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 15:07  |   Winning time: 2m 28.23s
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Selected odds by:
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1
(10)
Horse silk
Al Aasy35
Age: 8|  Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR:  115| BF| CD
12/1
Highly-talented veteran who comes from off the pace. Gained yet another win at Group 3 level in Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on return. Not seen to best effect at Newbury since but in the mix if cards fall his way.
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Timeform
2
(7)
Horse silk
Al Riffab55
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-3| J: D McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR:  117| D
4/1
High-class colt who built on his excellent second to City of Troy in the Eclipse at Sandown when a 5-length winner of Group 1 at Hoppegarten in August. Respectable efforts both starts this year, fourth in Prix Ganay 55 days ago. Return to 12f will suit so respected in a change of headgear.
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Timeform
3
(9)
Horse silk
Bellum Justump15
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR:  112| D
33/1
Much improved last season, winning twice and finishing third in Hampton Court at this meeting. Better than ever with headgear applied when winning Group 2 at Newmarket but that was a weak race for the Grade. Struggled in Coronation Cup at Epsom since but should fare better here.
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Timeform
4
(8)
Horse silk
Burdett Road23
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-3| J: S D Bowen| T: James Owen| OR:  110| C| D
40/1
Took a step forward when making all in 5-runner listed contest at Newmarket (12f) in September before not disgraced in Long Distance Cup here. Had a solid hurdling campaign after but pulled too hard at Sandown on return. Opposable in this field.
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Timeform
5
(4)
Horse silk
Candleford364
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR:  110| CD
25/1
Smart gelding who was an impressive winner of Duke of Edinburgh at this meeting 3 years ago. Picked up a couple of listed events since, including at the Curragh on last season's return. However, came up short in this last year and not seen since.
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Timeform
6
(3)
Horse silk
Epic Poet36
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR:  111
25/1
Likeable sort who had a good spell in the Middle East earlier this year. Pushed Rebel's Romance close back on these shore in Yorkshire Cup last time but he was in receipt of 5 lb that day.
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Timeform
7
(2)
Horse silk
Ghostwriter27
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: D Egan| T: C G Cox| OR:  118| C
5/1
Winless in 2024 but lots of good efforts kept exclusively at the highest level, placed in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International. Returned with a decent fourth in Dubai Turf but not so good at the Curragh last month. Tackling a non Group 1 for the first time since his 2-y-o days and he's a player.
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Timeform
8
(6)
Horse silk
Palladium13
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR:  111| D
16/1
Last year's German Derby winner who was sold for €1,400,000 before winning a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon in January on his sole start for Nicky Henderson. Solid start for this yard when close third in listed race at Goodwood on return 2 weeks ago but needs to take a big step forward here,
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Timeform
9
(11)
Horse silk
Rebel's Romance36
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR:  123| D
6/4
High-class gelding (7-time Group/Grade1 winner). Solid efforts all 3 starts this year, narrowly coming out on top in the sprint for home in Yorkshire Cup last month. Able to race without a penalty kept to a Group 2 and clearly the one to beat.
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Timeform
10
(1)
Horse silk
Space Legendp143
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR:  111
25/1
Progressed to a smart level last season, beating the rest when second to Calandagan in King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting. Not seen to best effect at Chester on return and probably has more to give. Headgear applied.
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Timeform
11
(5)
Horse silk
Sunwayb1,t35
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR:  112
10/1
Smart performer who finished runner-up in last season's Irish Derby and right back to that level when third in St Leger. However, hasn't been at that level since and has a bit to prove in first-time headgear now.
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Timeform
12
(12)
Horse silk
Tabletalk35
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Tom Clover| OR:  110
25/1
Found the Derby all too much but back on track with his sights lowered, relishing the increase in trip when landing the valuable Melrose Handicap at York in August. Good runner-up efforts in a couple of Group 3s this term but has a bit to find with a few of these back up in class.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Rebel's Romance (6/4), Al Riffa (4/1), Ghostwriter (5/1), Sunway (10/1), Al Aasy (12/1), Palladium (16/1), Tabletalk (25/1), Space Legend (25/1), Epic Poet (25/1), Candleford (25/1), Bellum Justum (33/1), Burdett Road (40/1)

Verdict

Group 1 winners REBEL'S ROMANCE and Al Riffa escape a penalty for this Group 2 with clear preference for the former under the likely fast conditions. Ghostwriter is another who often keeps better company so needs considering, too.

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 9-3  |Age: 4
16/1
2023
7/2
2022
Weight: 9-3  |Age: 6
6/1
2021
Weight: 8-12  |Age: 4
5/1

Prize Money

1st: £141,775.002nd: £53,750.003rd: £26,900.004th: £13,400.005th: £6,725.006th: £3,375.00

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