3.05 Royal Ascot (Day 5, Race 2)
Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £113,420
Advice: 1 pt win, 3 pts place Aiken (4/1 general, 4/5
Bet365), 1 pt win Dunaden (11/2 general)
Aiken: Made it 6 successive wins on the bounce when
dictating the pace, being reeled in, and then drawing away from rivals in Grand
Prix De Chantilly latest, following up easy listed win here time before; May
well be improving once again and relishes testing ground so has to be respected
seriously in bid for a seven timer. 
Allied Powers: : Loves cut in the ground (twice a winner on
heavy and last win came on very soft in France) and back to something like his
best when winning Group 3 at Longchamp two starts back; Last behind Aiken
latest and expect things will stay that way 
Calico Cat: Quickly confirmed himself a useful horse when
confirming the promise of his first two starts (third of 4th in
Ormonde, won maiden of his own) when second in York listed event latest but
behind Mephis Tennessee on that form and others preffered here.
Dunaden: Made rapid progress throughought last year, crowned
by his Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase double at the backend of last year,
quickening up well to get up close home at Sha Tin; Presumably being aimed that
those events again this year and started well enough, although both times under
a 5lbs penalty he’s been held too far back to make an impact and done best work
late; Behind Aiken last time and weighted to reverse that form today, although
Gosden’s choice had plenty in hand last time out; More prominent ride can see
him make his mark. 
Fiorente: Caught eye on debut behind World Domination at
Newbury and bolted up next time out as was expected at same course; Marked himself
down as a Group winner in waiting when going under the trees here but still
managing second to Nathaniel (who has subsequently won King George) from poor
position, before close second to Nambian at Goodwood; Comeback was
disappointing although can be forgiven with yard not in best of form at that
time; Better next time out when back down to 10 furlongs, although fact he was
beaten by Jet Away doesn’t give great hope; Connections put cheekpieces on but
he looks second string of Stoute bunch. 
Hunter’s Light: Looked good last season in winning three
starts and travelled well at Chester on comeback only to falter badly late on;
Proved himself better than that when third in Brigader Gerard Stakes last time
out but still needs much more here on several lines of form. 
Jakkalberry; Much improved since the switch to Marco Botti,
following second to Opinion Poll and Fox Hunt when third (and staying on in
eyecathing fashion) in Sheema Classic; That form would see him high on any
shortlist and has got soft ground form; Interesting. 
Memphis Tenesee: Jumped up the Ballydoyle pecking order
rapidly when front running fourth in Derby last year and nearly repeated the
trick in the Irish Derby; Good return in Ormonde Stakes when drawing away after
steadily run race on desperately testing ground; Sure to be more suited by the
pace of this race today and does go on ground with cut; Contender. 
Quest For Peace: Looked like one to follow when landing
Cumberland Lodge Stakes in good style on first Luca Cumani start; respectable
fifth in Canadian Group 1 and good second in Jockey Club Stakes but badly in
with Dunaden from that occasion and behind Red Cadeux on latter occasion, so
others taken over him. 
Red Cadeux: Ended fantastic progress throughought last season
with close seconds to Dunaden in Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase; Good return
when unable to give weight and a beating to Gold Cup winner Colour Vision 
Sea Moon: Cantered home with Great Volitegur last season and
then unlucky in the St Ledger when behind Masked Marvel (met trouble); Tons of
promise in the Breeders’ Cup Turf when second to St Nicholas Abbey (since
franked the form, and this distance gives him beating of many here): All out on
recent return at 2/7 but better expected here and has to be the one to beat if
he turns up at his best.
Testrosterone: Completely different filly for Pascal Bary
when switched to front running tactics last season, winning Group 2 Malleret at
Saint Cloud when given easiest of leads but then running second in Prix
Vermille before Arc proved too much; Now with Ed Dunlop and while she looks a
smart buy, this a tough debut for yard and in season.
VERDICT: A red hot contest which involved plenty of horses
just below Group 1 company last year. Sea Moon was unlucky not to win the St
Ledger and ran into a top talent when second to St Nicholas Abbey. With his
Listed win (albeit a scrambling one) sure to have got him spot on, and the
ground not a problem for him, he should be very hard to beat. That’s not enough
to put me off AIKEN however, who has won his last 6, had more left at the
finish of the Grand Prix De Chantilly, relishes testing ground, and comes from
a trainer jockey combination that has had 4 winners so far this week. The
original value in his price (he was 6’s earlier this week) has gone, but he still
warrants an interest and the 4/5 on him making the three (place market) seems
like good value. While we’re at it, why not add DUNADEN to the portfolio, who
was given a poor ride off a slow pace when third to Aiken at Chantilly, and is
now 7lbs better off with John Gosden’s charge. Soft ground shouldn’t be a
problem to him and it would be encouraging to see him ridden more positively. Memphis
Tennessee and Red Cadeux also have their chances.
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