Group Two Hardwicke Stakes Guide 2024

Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
1(9)
William Buick

Candleford

J:
 
William Buick
T:
 
William Haggas
Age: 6
Weight: 9-3
OR: 110
Days: 28

Made a sound return this season winning a listed race at the Curragh (2nd won since)

Had some good form last season in listed and group 3 company and although upped in class here he could outrun his odds.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
25/05/24CUR12Gd9-101
29/09/23NMK12GF9-105
09/09/23KEM12St/Slw9-72
26/08/23WDR11.5GF9-71
04/08/23GOO12GS9-33
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
2(7)
Ryan Moore

Continuous

J:
 
Ryan Moore
T:
 
A P O'Brien
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 120
Days: 265

Second in group 2 company behind King Of Steel at this meeting last year before going on to win the Great Voltigeur at York and the St.Leger at Doncaster.

Ended 2023 with a huge run behind Ace Impact in the Arc when 5th.

Makes his seasonal comeback here and if he is anywhere near his best he will win.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
19/10/24ASC10Sft9-710
06/10/24LON12VSft9-515
15/09/24LON12Sft9-23
17/08/24CUR10Gd9-91
22/06/24ASC12GF9-35
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
3(2)
Rossa Ryan

Crypto Force

J:
 
Rossa Ryan
T:
 
Adrian Murray
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 106
Days: 27

Beat Auguste Rodin on debut but has shown nowhere near that level of form since.

Been well beaten in three starts this season including in group 1 company last time.

Tries 12f for the first time but needs plenty more.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/08/24CUR10Gd9-94
08/08/24LEO12Gd9-94
22/06/24ASC12GF9-36
26/05/24CUR10.5Gd/Y9-53
28/04/24LON10.5VSft9-27
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
4(4)
Tom Marquand

Desert Hero

J:
 
Tom Marquand
T:
 
William Haggas
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 113
Days: 35

Won at this meeting last season in a handicap before going on to finish 3rd in the St.Leger behind Continuous.

Made a solid return this season over 10f but disappointed at Newbury next time.

Not the first time he has ran below par at that venue so could definitely bounce back here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
18/05/24NBY12Gd9-25
26/04/24SAN10GS9-22
16/09/23DON14.5Sft9-33
03/08/23GOO12Sft9-31
22/06/23ASC12Gd8-131
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
5(6)
David Egan

Elegant Man

J:
 
David Egan
T:
 
Adrian Murray
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 113
Days: 27

Only had the one run on turf and that came last time out when 4th in a Group 1 behind White Birch.

Heavy downpour before the race might not of helped and worth another chance on this better ground for all he does have to improve to match some of these.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/06/24ASC12GF9-37
26/05/24CUR10.5Gd/Y9-54
29/03/24NCS10St9-121
26/01/24DUN10.5St9-51
13/12/23KEM12St/Slw9-42
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
6(1)
Maxime Guyon

Goliath

J:
 
Maxime Guyon
T:
 
F-H Graffard
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 112
Days: 20

Ran well in a group 2 at Chantilly last time behind Junko who is a group 1 winner.

Wasn't beaten far and was well fancied that day.

Needs to take another step forward.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
20/10/24LON11Hy9-61
27/07/24ASC12GF9-91
22/06/24ASC12GF9-32
02/06/24CHA12Hy9-04
05/05/24LON12VSft9-01
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
7(5)
Callum Shepherd

Isle Of Jura

J:
 
Callum Shepherd
T:
 
George Scott
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 112
Days: 29

Won 7 of his last 8 starts going from a class 5 handicap to a listed winner on his latest start.

Has some form in the middle east that would give him a squeak in this but he is another who needs to improve to beat some of these at their best.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
24/05/24GOO10Gd9-61
08/03/24BHR12GF9-21
16/02/24BHR11GF9-21
02/02/24BHR10GF9-01
29/12/23BHR10Gd9-112
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
8(8)
Oisin Murphy

Middle Earth

J:
 
Oisin Murphy
T:
 
John & Thady Gosden
Age: 4
Weight: 9-3
OR: 115
Days: 35

Big scopey sort who made a winning return this season when just getting the better of King of Conquest (won since) at Newbury.

Only disappointment came in the St.Leger last season on soft ground.

Big player.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/06/24ASC12GF9-33
18/05/24NBY12Gd9-21
06/10/23ASC14Gd9-31
16/09/23DON14.5Sft9-37
26/08/23YOR14GF9-31
Ascot - June 21 2024
Ascot 14:05
9(3)
James Doyle

Missed The Cut

J:
 
James Doyle
T:
 
John W Sadler
Age: 5
Weight: 9-3
OR: 112
Days: 63

Won at this meeting in 2022 before going to continue her career in America.

Second in a Grade 2 on latest start at Keeneland (winner bolted up since) and ground here will be no issue.

Could be an each way player.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
20/04/24KEE12Fm8-62
23/03/24SNA12Fm8-121
10/02/24SNA10Fm8-121
26/12/23SNA9Fm8-112
04/11/23SNA10Fs9-012