1m4f (1m3f211y) Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Stronger than a lot of Group Ones, this is a top race. Kalpana holds excellent claims but this is truly wide open. The winner will need to run to a high level as there are too many highly rated horses for all of them to disappoint, so an improver needs a good prep and reason to get there. I’m drawn to BEST SECRET as he’s strong in the market and has two clear collateral form lines that suggest he can be up to this level. He achieved a similar level of form to what Kalpana did when they took their turn to beat West Wind Blows this season, and looking further back in his form he beat a horse that gave the top-notch Ombudsman a run for his money earlier this season. He’s four and has more scope to improve and his most recent run appeared his best, whilst his form in handicaps will always shield his true ability as he gets held up. At last year’s Royal meeting he had no run from the back in the Golden Gate Stakes yet still found fourth.
1pt win Best Secret @7/1, 3:05 Royal Ascot, Saturday
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