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The Hampton Court Stakes is a Group 3 race open to three-year-old horses. It is run at over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlongs and 212 yards.
This race has been run under several different titles, and its status has been raised twice since the 1980s. For a period, it was an ungraded event called the Churchill Stakes, and it was traditionally part of a Saturday fixture known as the Ascot Heath meeting. This took place on the day after the conclusion of Royal Ascot, which at that time was held over four days. The distance of the Churchill Stakes was 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
Car dealer Milcars began to sponsor the race in 1996, and it became known as the Milcars Conditions Stakes. The event was given Listed status in 1999, and from this point, it was called the New Stakes (a former title of Royal Ascot’s Norfolk Stakes). It was cut to 1 mile and 2 furlongs in 2000, and the sponsorship of Milcars continued until 2001.
The race was switched to day three of Royal Ascot in 2002 when the meeting was extended to five days to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. That year’s running was registered as the New Stakes, but for the Royal meeting, it was renamed the Hampton Court Stakes. The extension of Royal Ascot was initially intended to be for one year only, but the extra day was retained thereafter. The race was now regularly titled the Hampton Court Stakes, named after Hampton Court, a royal residence of the Tudor period.
The event was promoted to Group 3 level and renamed the Tercentenary Stakes in 2011. Its new title was introduced to mark the 300th anniversary of Ascot Racecourse, which staged its first race meeting in 1711.
In 2017 the race reverted to its previous name, the Hampton Court Stakes. Let’s go through the runners ahead of the race and see which horses offer the best Royal Ascot odds on the market.
Brave Emperor
Trainer: Archie Watson
Jockey: Luke Morris
More prolific on the all-weather than the turf with his last three wins coming at Kempton, Chelmsford and Wolverhampton. He has a bit to find with the re-opposing Bold Act based on their recent meeting at Chelmsford and carrying top weight here will be no easy task. Tough as teak and as genuine as they come. If he can translate that form to the turf, he is not without a chance.
Drumroll
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Has been in good form of late winning two of his last three starts including when taking a Group Three at the Curragh most recently over this trip. Has Ryan Moore in the saddle and having won on him last time, the pair have to command respect. Still completely unexposed and seem to act on any ground they have to be shortlist material.
Bold Act
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Will Buick
Hasn’t looked the same horse since being tried at distances beyond a mile so far this season but that could just be that the yard is struggling for consistent form. Should confirm form with Brave Emperor based on weight but could well struggle against better-treated rivals.
Bolster
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford
Jockey: James Doyle
Has won his only two starts and remains completely unexposed for an in-form yard. A six-and-a-half length victory on his seasonal reappearance at Windsor has convinced his trainers to give him a shot at this. If improving again he looks to danger to all.
Canberra Legend
Trainer: James Ferguson
Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Fast ground may have proven to be his undoing at York where he quite well fancied to run a big race in the Group Two Dante Stakes. He beat only two rivals home and something was clearly amiss. With similar ground on offer here today he may well struggle to repeat his earlier season form. Best watched for now until the ground eases.
Captain Winters
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Neil Callan
Improved to win the listed Heron Stakes at Sandown but stamina over this trip could well prove to be an issue. The yard comes here in good form though and they have already secured a big-priced winner in the Queen Anne at this meeting. There have to be question marks hovering over him seeing this trip out.
Dancing Magic
Trainer: Roger Teal
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Still a maiden after seven starts and hard to see that changing here. This looks far too competitive and others have far better chances.
Dear My Friend
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Had shown promise following a win in the listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance. Ran poorly at York and Epsom in the Dante and the Derby and again this looks too much too soon. Will likely find life easier when dropped further in class.
Epictetus
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Was quite well fancied to land the Dante Stakes at York but had to settle for fifth place behind The Foxes. Frankie Dettori prefers him over Torito so his decision has to be respected but you get the impression that he may struggle on similar fast ground here. He may well run well but others look far less exposed.
Exoplanet
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: David Egan
Has put together a couple of consistent runs including in a Heritage Handicap at Newbury racecourse last time out. This needs another step forward but he is housed at the right yard that could well conjure further improvement from him. He could surprise a few more fancied rivals.
Killybegs Warrior
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Has proved to be bitterly disappointing this term and has shown no liking for this trip in the past. Unlikely to crack any ice in this company and is best avoided.
Oviedo
Trainer: Ed Bethell
Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Stepped up to this trip to take the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar last time out this is a different situation altogether. Further progress is required and is definitely needed for him to get involved here.
Tony Montana
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Kevin Stott
Looks to be given a very difficult task by his trainers as he takes a massive jump in class. He is a twice-raced maiden and has not given a hint that he is anywhere near this class. Best avoided.
Torito
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
Is certainly going the right way and has won two of his three races this term. A four-length success in a Class 2 handicap at Epsom showed that he is possibly a contender for races at this level. He looks to be just one of a few of these in halfway decent form and looks to be a sure-fire contender.
Waipiro
Trainer: Ed Walker
Jockey: Tom Marquand
May well appreciate this return to ten furlongs having beaten ten lengths in the Epsom Derby last time. A winning seasonal reappearance at Newmarket was followed up with a strong run in the Lingfield Derby Trial. This slight drop in grade should also be in his favour and Tom Marquand should get a decent tune out of him provided he is over those recent exertions.
Caernarfon
Trainer: Jack Channon
Jockey: Connor Beasley
Being the only filly in the race she receives weight from all of her male counterparts. She built on her seasonal reappearance in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket by finishing third to Soul Sister in the Epsom Oaks and was beaten only two lengths. These ten furlongs could be ideal for her and she should give another good account.
Hampton Court Stakes Betting Tips
Drumroll could well prove the answer to this tricky-looking puzzle. He is two from three in his most recent starts and looks ready for the step up to this sort of level. That was a striking run when beating Teutates and with further improvement expected, he looks likely to go close for an in-form trainer and jockey combination.
The unexposed Bolster could well be anything but given the manner of his recent win at Windsor, he has to command respect here. The likes of Waipiro had an extremely tough race at Epsom and that may well have knocked the stuffing out of him.
Caernarfon is interesting as she seems as though this trip could well suit her. She was a fine third in the Epsom Oaks and being in receipt of weight all around here will be an added bonus.
1. Drumroll @ 11/2 with Bet365 bonus code
2. Caernarfon e/w @ 11/1 with Bet365
3. Bolster @ 12/1 with Bet365
All odds are accurate at the time of writing.
