ASCOT
3:05 HARDWICKE STAKES (GROUP 2) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 1m4f
From his high draw Happy Boy could be dangerous if Dettori decides to repeat the tactics used on Campanologist. He looked a strong galloping type when winning the first round of the Group 3 Maktoum Challenge at the Dubai Carnival and if he were to get his own way out in front he could prove hard to pass. Although he ran a poor race on his UK debut in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes the yards runners have been improving significantly for their first run and expect the same again.
Maraahel also featured in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes and he ran a fine race to finish 2nd but under his 5lbs penalty he emerged as the best horse in the race at the weights. He still looks to possess plenty of ability and he has won this race the last twice but this looks a much better renewal than recent seasons. A versatile sort regarding ground and tactics he looks sure to run his race but it looks inevitable that he’ll find at least a couple too good.
The race looks to revolve around the two promising sorts Macarthur and Spanish Moon. The former has the form in the book having shown an impressive turn of foot to win the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes and finish a good 3rd in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. It could be argued that he got the run of the race somewhat at Epsom but it was a fine effort to be only be beaten a relatively short distance by two of the best Group 1 1½mile performers in Europe. He deserves to be the market leader and he’ll take some beating in what are ideal conditions.
His nearest challenger is Sir Michael Stoute’s Spanish Moon who looks a colt with a bright future after his impressive win over course and distance last time. The 4yo has only had three career runs and it’s always eyecatching when the trainer has older horses still in training. He won his maiden as a juvenile in good fashion and was touted as a Classic contender before a pelvic injury curtailed those plans. His only run came at the end of the season and it just looks like connections just wanted the horse back on a racecourse after so long off. He returned this season at Ascot when running in a Listed event over course and distance. After being hampered by the fatally injured Ivy Creek he was well detached at the back of the field but despite giving them a good head start he came with a telling late run to mow down the leaders. Visually it was a very taking effort after an absence and although that form might not be good enough to win today he is almost certain to improve on that.
On the balance of things though after his last run Macarthur looks to have improved significantly since last season and like Duke Of Marmalade he is starting to come into his own. His fine 3rd in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes sets the standard and quite a high one so he is preferred to Spanish Moon with Happy Boy a lively outsider.
2pt WIN – MACARTHUR @ 7/4
RESULT
MACARTHUR 1st = +3.5pts
3:05 HARDWICKE STAKES (GROUP 2) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 1m4f
From his high draw Happy Boy could be dangerous if Dettori decides to repeat the tactics used on Campanologist. He looked a strong galloping type when winning the first round of the Group 3 Maktoum Challenge at the Dubai Carnival and if he were to get his own way out in front he could prove hard to pass. Although he ran a poor race on his UK debut in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes the yards runners have been improving significantly for their first run and expect the same again.
Maraahel also featured in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes and he ran a fine race to finish 2nd but under his 5lbs penalty he emerged as the best horse in the race at the weights. He still looks to possess plenty of ability and he has won this race the last twice but this looks a much better renewal than recent seasons. A versatile sort regarding ground and tactics he looks sure to run his race but it looks inevitable that he’ll find at least a couple too good.
The race looks to revolve around the two promising sorts Macarthur and Spanish Moon. The former has the form in the book having shown an impressive turn of foot to win the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes and finish a good 3rd in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. It could be argued that he got the run of the race somewhat at Epsom but it was a fine effort to be only be beaten a relatively short distance by two of the best Group 1 1½mile performers in Europe. He deserves to be the market leader and he’ll take some beating in what are ideal conditions.
His nearest challenger is Sir Michael Stoute’s Spanish Moon who looks a colt with a bright future after his impressive win over course and distance last time. The 4yo has only had three career runs and it’s always eyecatching when the trainer has older horses still in training. He won his maiden as a juvenile in good fashion and was touted as a Classic contender before a pelvic injury curtailed those plans. His only run came at the end of the season and it just looks like connections just wanted the horse back on a racecourse after so long off. He returned this season at Ascot when running in a Listed event over course and distance. After being hampered by the fatally injured Ivy Creek he was well detached at the back of the field but despite giving them a good head start he came with a telling late run to mow down the leaders. Visually it was a very taking effort after an absence and although that form might not be good enough to win today he is almost certain to improve on that.
On the balance of things though after his last run Macarthur looks to have improved significantly since last season and like Duke Of Marmalade he is starting to come into his own. His fine 3rd in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes sets the standard and quite a high one so he is preferred to Spanish Moon with Happy Boy a lively outsider.
2pt WIN – MACARTHUR @ 7/4
RESULT
MACARTHUR 1st = +3.5pts
