'This field is stacked with quality' - class looks to be to the fore in above-average Hampton Court

The Hampton Court had a habit of throwing up future Group 1 horses in the mid-to-late 2010s but has gone a bit cold recently. If there was ever a running that would revert this race back to type, though, it’s this one.

This field is stacked with quality. There are those who ran in Classics, as well as a handful of trial runners and plenty of unexposed types, some of whom are making the step up from novices.

Saeed bin Suroor won this in 2017 with subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Benbatl, who had finished fifth in the Derby on his previous start, and he is bidding for something similar with Tornado Alert, who was sixth behind Lambourn at Epsom.

The Too Darn Hot colt probably didn’t quite see the trip out that day, but he shaped as if he’d be suited by further than a mile when fourth in the 2,000 Guineas before that, and the 1m2f distance could suit him well.

However, the standard is set by Detain and Trinity College, who were separated by just a head when third and fourth respectively in the Prix du Jockey Club.

A staying-on sixth behind Henri Matisse in the French 2,000 Guineas, Detain was better for stepping up in trip and should appreciate the stiffer nature of Ascot. 

It is hard to see Trinity College reversing the form, but Aidan O’Brien did win this with a horse beaten in the French Derby in 2018.

Seven of the last ten winners were defeated in a Classic trial, and High Stock, a well-supported winner of the Wood Ditton, went down by just a neck in the Dee Stakes at Chester and is unexposed at the trip.

Jackknife, a half-brother to the yard’s 1m4f Group 1 winner Defoe, looked unlucky not to finish closer in the Heron Stakes over a mile at Sandown last time and should relish the extra distance. They could be major players against their more proven rivals.
Race analysis by Harry Wilson

'Hardy' Detain bids to end long wait for Gosdens

It has been 12 years since John Gosden last won the Hampton Court Stakes, with the trainer suffering a couple of unfortunate setbacks in the contest in the period since Remote scored in 2013.

Torito endured ill luck in running when fourth as 4-1 joint-favourite in 2023, while Reach For The Moon was downed by an enterprisingly ridden Claymore in 2022 having been sent off the 2-5 favourite to give the Queen a victory at what proved to be her final Royal Ascot.

This year Detain is tasked with landing the contest for the Gosdens. John and son Thady have already seen the Juddmonte silks, carried by the son of Wootton Bassett, flash to victory for them this week, with Field Of Gold demolishing his rivals in the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday.

Colin Keane is back on board Detain, having partnered him in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains last month, while the horse himself was last seen finishing a close third in the Prix du Jockey Club, where those in behind him included Trinity College, who reopposes here.

Thady Gosden said: "He ran a very good race to be third in the French Derby last time and has come out of that in good shape and is a hardy individual. We expect a mile and a quarter round Ascot to play to his strengths."

The Gosdens are bidding to end a 12-year wait to win the Hampton CourtCredit: Edward Whitaker

'He's quite a hard horse to get to the bottom of'

Very few runners arrive at the Hampton Court off the back of a win, but Glittering Legend is one who has no issue getting his head in front where it matters.

The son of Too Darn Hot has won four of his five starts since being gelded, a run that includes victories in his last three starts at Doncaster, Kempton and Newcastle.

Those last two wins came on the all-weather and this will require a step up, both in trip and class, from his Burradon Stakes success over a mile and in Listed company. 

However, connections are optimistic they may not have found his ceiling yet and are unconcerned about the switch to quick turf.

Tom Fanshawe, assistant to his father James, said: "It’s a step up in class, but he’s done everything we’ve asked of him this year. He’s found improvement from run to run. 

"He’s quite a hard horse to get to the bottom of so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in this grade. He’s a good mover so the ground shouldn’t inconvenience him."

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Arabian Force
He goes there in good form after successive wins and we expect the ground and trip to suit him very well, but he's been done no favours by the draw in 14 which is widest of all.

Roger Varian, trainer of Jackknife
He's plenty of potential and ran very well to be third in the Heron Stakes last time, where he shaped as if this trip would suit him well. This will tell us a bit more about him, but I couldn't be happier with his condition.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Sea Scout
He came out of the Derby in good shape and this is more his trip than a mile and a half. It's a hot race, but hopefully he can finish in the mix.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Tornado Alert
Tornado Alert came out of the Derby in good order and coming back to a mile and a quarter will suit. I’m hoping for a good result.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Trinity College
He's a good, solid horse who ran well in the French Derby. We've been happy with him and everything has gone well in the build-up.
Reporting by Peter Scargill

Read our Thursday previews:

2.30 at Royal Ascot: Can Charles Darwin buck the trend for losing favourites and prove another juvenile star for Aidan O'Brien in the Norfolk? 

3.05 at Royal Ascot: This King George is made for a William Haggas hope - will another well-fancied Aidan O'Brien contender miss out? 

3:40 at Royal Ascot: 'She ran a very good trial for this when second behind a proper filly' - can superpowers carve up the Ribblesdale again? 

4.20 at Royal Ascot: The Gold Cup is the supreme test of stamina but who is bred to stay in an era when pedigrees are chock full of speed? 

5.00 at Royal Ascot: 'La Botte has the right profile and could find even more improvement at a mile' - expert analysis for straight mile cavalry charge 

6.10 at Royal Ascot: Can cheekpieces spark revival for 'crazily short-priced' English Oak in bid for another Buckingham Palace win? 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.