Hardwicke Stakes: Runner-by-runner guide

Hardwicke Stakes

16:20 Royal Ascot, Saturday

1. Ardakan (Marco Botti/ James McDonald)

Smart ex-German-trained colt who made a sound start for his new stable when reaching the frame three times in Meydan earlier in the year. Likely to find a few too strong on this British debut, though.

2. Changingoftheguard (Aidan O'Brien/ Ryan Moore)

Edged out Grand Alliance to win the King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting last year. Wasn't seen again until finishing a creditable third in the Group 2 Ormonde Stakes at Chester last month, fading in the closing stages having cut out a lot of the running. More needed here but he might find it.

3. Deauville Legend (James Ferguson/ Daniel Muscutt)

Most progressive last year, winning twice at Group level, including the Great Voltigeur at York, and finishing an excellent fourth of 22 in the Melbourne Cup on his final outing. Could easily raise his game again this year.

4. Grand Alliance (Charlie Fellowes/ William Buick)

Smart gelding who probably would have beaten Changingoftheguard in last year's King Edward but for hanging badly left in the closing stages. Gained an overdue success at pattern level in the Group 3 John Porter on his reappearance but this demands more of him.

5. Hukum (Owen Burrows/ Jim Crowley)

Very smart and likeable type who gained his first success at the highest level in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last June. Claimed the notable scalp of last year's Derby winner Desert Crown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Sandown last month on his first start since the Coronation Cup and he seems sure to go well again.

6. Pyledriver (William Muir & Chris Grassick/ PJ McDonald)

Produced a career-best effort when winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over course and distance last July. Escapes a penalty for that but there's got to be a chance he'll need this comeback run to put him spot on for a defence of his King George crown next month.

7. West Wind Blows (Simon & Ed Crisford/ Jamie Spencer)

Landed a second mile-and-a-quarter Group 3 at Longchamp when seeing off his rivals 13 days ago. Did enough to suggest he stays a mile and a half when third in a Group 2 at Newmarket on his reappearance but improvement will be needed to come out on top here.

8. Free Wind (John & Thady Gosden/ Frankie Dettori)

Very talented mare who made it six wins from her last seven starts when seeing off Wednesday's Duke of Cambridge winner Rogue Millennium in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes over a mile and a quarter on her reappearance at York. The return to further will suit and she could take a bit of stopping with further progress on the cards.

Timeform's Analyst Verdict:

FREE WIND's Middleton Stakes form received a boost when the runner-up took the Duke of Cambridge earlier in the week and George Strawbridge's 5-y-o can mark herself down as a contender for top honours in the second half of this season by claiming the scalp of last month's Brigadier Gerard winner Hukum. Deauville Legend may prove best of the remainder.

1. Free Wind
2. Hukum
3. Deauville Legend