A race which is often an important pointer to the following month’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Hardwicke Stakes routinely attracts a classy line-up of some of the best older middle-distance horses in Europe. The fifth Earl of Hardwicke, who was Master of the Buckhounds between 1874 and 1879, gave his name to this race which dates back to that time.

The Derby winners Coronach and Mid-day Sun feature on its roll of honour, as does Queen Elizabeth II’s Derby runner-up and King George winner Aureole. They are joined by the likes of Japan Cup winner Stanerra, Melbourne Cup winner Jeune, and the Duke of Devonshire’s great mare Park Top.

Fresh from his win in the G3 Prix d’Hedouville at Longchamp on 3 May, Wathnan Racing’s Best Secret will bid to add his name and that of his Deauville trainer Stephane Wattel to this illustrious list. His previous trip to Ascot resulted in a good, if unlucky, third in the Golden Gates Handicap when he found himself short of room and had to be switched wide to make his challenge.