The Hampton Court Stakes is a Group 3 contest run over 1m2f. It takes place at 17:40 on Thursday 20th June, which is the third day of Royal Ascot 2024. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

8⁽⁶⁾

43-241

Portland

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

106

116

Fourth in Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good to soft) before Listed win at Leopardstown (1m4f, good); that was his ninth race and others are less exposed and have stronger form, but he's the sole runner for Aidan O'Brien who has won two of the last six runnings, so is worth a second look.

12⁽⁸⁾

261-45

Under The Sun

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Hugo Palmer

9-2

101

115

Won Salisbury novice (1m, good to firm) last autumn; however, hasn't really threatened on either run this year and looks vulnerable once more.

4⁽¹⁰⁾

19-316

Caviar Heights

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

9-2

109

124

Took a sizeable step forward when 4l Listed winner at Newmarket (1m2f, good) last month on his sixth start; down the field in the Dante subsequently but perhaps that run came too soon (13 days later); entitled to respect on the Newmarket form and he's not ruled out back from 35-day break.

1⁽⁹⁾

1212-7

Al Musmak

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

9-2

108

121

Flopped in the Dante at York on last month's return (1m2f, good; backed into 4-1) but trainer reported subsequently "his bloods were off"; Listed winner at Haydock (1m, good) last September then came second in the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket (1m, good to firm); could bounce back with bold show.

10⁽¹¹⁾

115-22

Stromberg

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-2

102

109

Two easy 2yo wins (minor races) and runner-up in Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh (1m2f, good to yielding) last month; however, he was no match for the winner and doesn't appear to be progressing; something to find.

7⁽⁷⁾

812-1

King's Gambit

J: William Buick

T: Harry Charlton

9-2

107

124

Progressive in three-race 2yo campaign and hugely impressive when winning by 4l on last month's handicap and seasonal debut in the London Gold Cup at Newbury (1m2f, good; unraced on faster), a handicap that often produces Group-race winners (including from this yard); appealing claims.

2⁽²⁾

241-17

Bellum Justum

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

104

117

Fast-ground 2yo winner who reappeared with a win in the Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom (1m2f, good) in April; faded into a soundly beaten seventh in the Derby (1m4f, good to soft) 19 days ago; this drop back in trip may be the right move for the time being, but others possess stronger form.

11⁽⁵⁾

421-3

Taraj

J: David Egan

T: D K Weld

9-2

103

119

Comfortably won Dundalk maiden (1m, AW) on third and final 2yo start and close third of five in Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown (1m2f, good) on reappearance; changed hands for £480,000 on Monday (remains in same yard); in excellent hands to continue to progress and could be involved.

6⁽¹²⁾

17-13

Jayarebe

J: Sean Levey

T: Brian Meehan

9-2

108

121

Fast-ground 2yo winner; made it 2-3 with authoritative front-running win at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on return; about 3l behind runner-up Bracken's Laugh when Listed third of four at Chester (10.3f, good) latest but carried 3lb penalty; could improve upon that form if settling better; not discounted.

3⁽¹⁾

15-12

Bracken's Laugh

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Richard Hughes

9-2

108

123

Won two hot conditions races (1m, soft/AW) from his first three starts before close second of four in Listed Dee Stakes at Chester (10.3f, good) in May; this has been the target since and he could play a leading role.

9⁽⁴⁾

1-33

Sons And Lovers

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

9-2

103

116

Jane Chapple-Hyam won this in 2022 with Claymore, who was stepped up in trip on the back of a 7f debut win then two defeats at 1m; this fellow matches that description and the way he's shaped in 1m Group 3/Listed races the last twice suggests 1m2f can prompt improvement; possible contender.

5⁽³⁾

21-322

First Look

J: James Doyle

T: A Fabre

9-2

116

126

Has improved with each of his five starts, finishing second in Group 3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly (1m1f, good to soft) last month then occupying the same position in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club there (10.5f, heavy); that latest performance makes this French challenger a key player today.

RACING POST TIP

King's Gambit

London Gold Cup winners often evolve into Group-race performers and there can be considerable optimism that KING'S GAMBIT (nap), who was so impressive in that Newbury handicap last month, can do likewise. Last year's Royal Lodge runner-up Al Musmak had an excuse for his Dante flop and he is second choice ahead of French raider First Look, who was runner-up in the Prix du Jockey Club. Bracken's Laugh could also be involved, while the step up in trip is a likely plus for Sons And Lovers, whose trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam won this in 2022.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2023	Waipiro [7]	3	9-2	7/1	Ed Walker	Tom Marquand
2022	Claymore [2]	3	9-2	7/1	Jane Chapple-Hyam	Adam Kirby
2021	Mohaafeth [3]	3	9-0	11/8F	William Haggas	Jim Crowley
2020	Russian Emperor [6]	3	9-0	100/30	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2019	Sangarius [8]	3	9-0	13/2	Sir Michael Stoute	Frankie Dettori
2018	Hunting Horn [12]	3	9-0	5/1	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2017	Benbatl [6]	3	9-0	9/2	Saeed bin Suroor	Oisin Murphy
2016	Hawkbill [2]	3	9-0	11/2	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2015	Time Test [7]	3	9-0	15/8F	Roger Charlton	Frankie Dettori
2014	Cannock Chase [7]	3	9-0	7/4F	Sir Michael Stoute	Ryan Moore

Key race stats 2024

Key trends

Yet to win at this level or higher, 10/10
Adjusted RPR of at least 120, 9/10
Rated within 7lb of RPR top-rated, 8/10 (four were top-rated)
Won that season, 8/10
Top-three finish last time out, 6/10 (four won)
Distance winner, 6/10

Other factors

Two had won a handicap that season.

Six had been beaten in Classic trials.

What happened in the Hampton Court Stakes last year?

WAIPIRO was sixth in the Derby, and he and Dear My Friend (13th at Epsom) were the first horses from that race to run again. He gave a boost to the form with this tidy success. Strong at the finish, he can probably go back in trip and he’ll reportedly continue his career in Hong Kong. Exoplanet, whose London Gold Cup third had received a strong form boost in the King George V handicap, had something of a wide trip and didn’t see it out as well as the winner but again ran to a smart level of form. Bold Act couldn’t confirm last-time-out Newbury form with Exoplanet stayed on well. Torito, a ready winner at Epsom on Derby day off 95, didn’t have the smoothest of runs round. He was just out-finished for third.

Hampton Court Stakes

17:40 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2024

What happened in the Hampton Court Stakes last year?

All Races