Royal Ascot - Hardwicke Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 5, Race 1)

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £61,964

Pick: Await The Dawn (win)

Await The Dawn: Shaped with potential at two & again bettered that at three, signing off last year with a 9 length Group 3 rout at Leopardstown & same story when storming clear at Chester under penalty on seasonal debut; Can go very close today and should improve physically for the run.

Calvados Blues: Transformed himself from being beaten in handicaps to Group 2 and Group 1 placed in UAE last year, and latest third in Sheema Classic looks very solid; Significant that Murtagh on board and can go well here.

Campanologist: Consistent performer who reached peak last season with consecutive Group One wins in Germany in the Von Lotto and Pokal in July/August respectively; Third to Dangerous Midge in September reads well and forgiven Melbourne Cup flop at the backend of last season; Disappointing on return but more like it when second in Tattersalls Gold Cup latest and another with requisite class to land this.

Drunken Sailor: Wide margin winner from respectable yardsticks in a well contested listed race last time and will take the beating if able to reproduce that form to the pound; Ground no problem but this deeper; Well priced.

Harris Tweed: Progressive front runner thoughought 2010, winning big Musselbrugh handicap with plenty to spare before taking two listed races; Hard at it from long way out in Ormonde at Chester May meeting and this tougher even if more to come.

Kings Gambit: Really progressive through middle part of last season, coming second at Royal Ascot then big handicap/Group 3; Tenacious under brilliant ride in Gordon Richards Stakes and while extra distance holds no fears, two UK wins come on good and this harder anyway.

Laaheb: Progressive for past two season and competed Group 3 double when getting better of long fight with Whispering Gallery in Cumberland Lodge Stakes; Posted career – best in Dubai when fourth in Sheema Classic behind Rewilding but disappointing when well behind Campanologist in Jockey Club Stakes; According to connections that race came too soon and wouldn’t mind conditions but others still more appealing.

Passion For Gold: Immensely promising as a 2yo when third to St Nicholas Abbey before running out wide margin winner of Group 1; Retains all ability this year, as he showed when reversing form convincingly with Jet Away when easy winner of Listed event latest; Can go well.

Poet: Thrived for Ballydoyle in 2009, winning 3 times including Group 3 Kilternan Stakes and now starting to build on that form for current yard, winning Rose Of Lancaster Stakes before running good second to Clowance; Close to a career best when beating all but Workforce on his seasonal debut in the Bridgader Gerard Stakes and if you forgive his run last time, he’s all but favourite; Of interest.

VERDICT: Godolphin love this event and Johnny Murtagh’s mount Calvados Blues can make a strong bid if handling the ground, but it’s hard to get away from AWAIT THE DAWN, so impressive under a penalty at Chester and a soft ground winner on his 2yo debut. Poet is overpriced and rates and each/way saver.