3 minute read
The Hardwicke Stakes may not have Group 1 status but it promises to be an exciting renewal with Frankie Dettori looking for another winner at the Royal meeting.
Free Wind has been supported in the ante-post market following Rogue Millenium's victory in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes earlier in the week, having finished ahead of her when winning the Group 2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes at York. The five-year-old mare, ridden by Frankie Dettori, chases a fourth straight success and arguably her best form has come over twelve furlongs. The absence of Hukum means this could be a fairly straightforward task, especially with Dettori chasing a fifth winner on the board at his final Royal meeting.
William Muir & Chris Grassick's Pyledriver is using the race as a stepping stone for his defence of the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes and may need the run. He was expected to return for a tilt at the Sheema Classic in March, but minor setbacks have meant the six-year-old has not been seen on the racetrack since his Ascot success in July. He is two-from-two over course and distance which would be a positive.
Deauville Legend has not been seen on the racetrack since a big performance in the Melbourne Cup in November, where he finished fourth. He's been an excellent servant to the yard, winning the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August and potentially looking like the type of horse who will improve for age.
Aidan O'Brien's Changingoftheguard could be the value bet in the race at current odds of 9/1. He is very lightly raced after eight career starts and won over course and distance in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting last year, ahead of Grand Alliance who has since won a Group event. He appeared not to stay in the Group 2 Ormonde Stakes on seasonal reappearance at Chester and a better effort is anticipated.
West Wind Blows was a winner of the Group 3 La Coupe at Longchamp over ten furlongs on his first start following a gelding operation. The step up to twelve furlongs must be a negative, with statistics of 0-3 compared to his ten furlong record of 4-5.
WIN: FREE WIND
PLACE: DEAUVILLE LEGEND