The Hampton Court Stakes is a Group 3 contest run over 1m2f. It takes place at 17:35 on Thursday 22nd June, which is the third day of Royal Ascot 2023. 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

2⁽⁵⁾

121

Drumroll

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-6

104

115

Listed runner-up at the Curragh (1m, soft) last month on his second start, behind stablemate Paddington who followed up in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace; awarded a Group 3 at the Curragh last time (1m2f, good; promoted due to interference); carries a 4lb penalty but could have more to offer and he's the sole runner for Aidan O'Brien, who has won this four times; player.

5⁽⁶⁾

119

Canberra Legend

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Ferguson

9-2

103

119

Won on debut at Newcastle (1m, AW) in February and finished well to follow up in Listed race at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) in April; something to prove after his Group 2 Dante disappointment (10.2f, good to firm) but that's not his true form and he retains potential.

1⁽³⁾

211213

Brave Emperor

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

9-6

106

118

Made all in German Group 3 (8.5f, good to soft) in April and creditable third in Swedish Group 3 (1m1f, good) next time; however, he's untested at this trip and there's the suspicion he's vulnerable under a 4lb penalty.

8⁽⁴⁾

33-180

Dear My Friend

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: Charlie Johnston

9-2

103

116

Third in 1m2f Group 3 at Newmarket (good) last October and Listed winner at Newcastle (1m, AW) on reappearance; however, he's been down the field in the Dante and the Derby since and needs to raise his game.

6⁽¹⁵⁾

135-41

Captain Winters

J: Neil Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

9-2

104

117

Left his previous form behind when winning a Listed race at Sandown (1m, good to soft) last month; beat just three rivals and untested at today's trip, but he's hinted 1m2f may suit and his excellent pedigree (half-brother to connections' Queen Anne winner Triple Time, among others) provides optimism that he has even more to offer; one to consider.

11⁽¹⁴⁾

-43369

Killybegs Warrior

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Charlie Johnston

9-2

100

116

Fair runs in Newmarket Listed race and the Dante this spring but needs improvement and was disappointing in Haydock handicap latest.

7⁽¹³⁾

244-30

Dancing Magic

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Teal

9-2

104

117

Well beaten when upped to 10.2f in last month's Group 2 Dante and needs to settle better; however, the first-time hood could help in that regard (also tongue tied first time) and he's posted some good efforts in 1m Group/Listed races; there's stamina in his pedigree and he's not a forlorn hope.

12⁽¹⁶⁾

308-61

Oviedo

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

9-2

100

119

Last season's highlight was his third in the Group 3 Acomb at York (7f, good) and he improved for the step up in trip when winning a handicap at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) last month; needs another step forward today but he did it cosily last time and holds each-way possibilities.

16⁽¹⁰⁾

131-43

Caernarfon

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

8-13

112

128

Kept on for soundly beaten fourth in 1,000 Guineas (1m, soft) on reappearance and found a chunk of improvement when upped in trip to 1m4f in the Oaks (good to firm), finishing a clear third at 40-1; now takes on males but holds leading form claims and should be fine at 1m2f.

9⁽¹⁾

22-155

Epictetus

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-2

109

123

Reappeared with a Listed win at Epsom (1m2f, soft) in April and creditable efforts in fifth in the Dante (10.2f, good to firm) and Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good) the last twice; unlikely to be far away.

3⁽¹²⁾

11-152

Bold Act

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-2

107

122

Four wins from first five starts before a disappointing Listed run at Newmarket (first encounter with slow ground); gelded and bounced back with a close second of 14 off top weight in prestigious Newbury handicap (1m2f, good) last month and he's firmly in calculations for his powerful yard.

10⁽¹¹⁾

16-23

Exoplanet

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

9-2

100

118

Second in Newbury novice (1m2f, soft) on reappearance, a race that has worked out extremely well, and he was a close third in a hot handicap there (1m2f, good) last month despite jumping a piece of litter over 2f out; he's 6lb worse off with runner-up Bold Act but could have more left in the tank.

13⁽²⁾

2-3

Tony Montana

J: Kevin Stott

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-2

102

Runner-up at Salisbury (1m, good to soft) last September on sole 2yo start and only third when odds-on in Newbury maiden (1m2f, good) on reappearance; very hard to fancy on that latest evidence but this well-bred 425,000gns yearling is in top hands and could take a big step forward at some stage.

15⁽⁷⁾

6-126

Waipiro

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

9-2

107

121

Won a hot Newmarket novice (1m2f, good) on reappearance before good second in the Lingfield Derby Trial (1m4f, AW); respectable sixth in the Derby (1m4f, good to firm) latest and could be thereabouts now back down in grade.

4⁽⁸⁾

1-1

Bolster

J: James Doyle

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-2

111

Won at Leicester (1m, good) last October on sole 2yo start and easily made all in Windsor novice (1m2f, good) on recent reappearance; takes a steep rise in grade but it remains to be seen where his limitations lie.

14⁽⁹⁾

3-121

Torito

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-2

105

123

Built upon his slow-ground promise when comfortably landing a 1m2f handicap at Epsom (good to firm) on Derby day under Benoit De La Sayette; one of three for his yard and faces a stiffer assignment but he impressed last time and his illustrious pedigree (half-brother to connections' Group 1 winner Journey, among others) provides optimism that his best days remain ahead of him.

RACING POST TIP

Torito

The well-bred TORITO took a big step forward when a smooth winner of a handicap at Epsom on Derby day and is taken to follow up in this higher grade. Kevin Ryan and Neil Callan combined to win the Queen Anne Stakes here on Tuesday with Triple Time and his half-brother Captain Winters is feared most, ahead of the Oaks third Caernarfon. Drumroll, Bold Act, Exoplanet and Waipiro are other live contenders.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
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
2013	Remote [5]	3	9-0	9/4F	John Gosden	William Buick
2012	Energizer [9]	3	9-0	15/2	J Hirschberger	Adrie de Vries

Key race stats

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

Other factors

Three had won a handicap that season.
Four had been beaten in Classic trials.

What happened last year?

After being narrowly denied 35 minutes earlier, the Queen had the odds-on favourite in the Hampton Court in the shape of Reach For The Moon. Beaten just over a length by St James’s Palace third My Prospero on his reappearance, Reach For The Moon was sent off at 2-7 but, despite threatening to take the lead two furlongs out, he couldn’t get past Claymore, who was pulling away at the line. It was a second win of the royal meeting for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam.

Hampton Court Stakes

17:35 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

All Races