A look ahead to the Hardwicke Telescope is expected to put up a staunch defence of his crown in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. The five-year-old was a stunning winner of the Group Two contest last summer, a victory which was supplemented by some tremendous efforts in defeat in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Juddmonte International and the Breeders' Cup Turf. Sir Michael Stoute's charge suffered an odds-on reverse on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, but showed his true capabilities with a stylish display at Newbury last month and will be all the rage to secure another Royal triumph under Ryan Moore. Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: " He seems in very good form, is holding his condition well and everyone at Freemason Lodge is more than happy with him. "Sir Michael is very happy with the horse and he seems to love Ascot as, touch wood, he has never run a bad race there. "It is a tough race, but I would like to think that he has improved from four to five. He is not short of speed, but he seems more at home over 12 furlongs. " As with all Sir Michael horses, it's one step at a time but the King George is definitely his midsummer target providing he shows his best in the Hardwicke. We are hopeful that he can retain his crown." Moore is confident it is only a matter of time before Telescope enjoys his big day at the top table. "He's in good shape, he's been brought along gradually all year and I'm sure he goes there with every chance. It looks a strong Hardwicke, but he likes Ascot and I'm sure he'll run his race," the jockey told Racing UK. "I think he definitely could get one (Group One), it just depends on the opposition and finding the right slot, but he's certainly good enough to win at Group One level." Telescope is one of three runners for Stoute along with last year's runner-up and subsequent Canadian International winner Hillstar, as well as Yorkshire Cup scorer Snow Sky. One of the chief threats to the Stoute trio is the John Gosden-trained Eagle Top. The lightly-raced four-year-old won the King Edward VII Stakes at last year's Royal meeting before finishing fourth in the King George and there was not a lot wrong with his comeback fourth behind stable companion Western Hymn in Sandown's Brigadier Gerard Stakes. "Eagle Top will come on for his first run and has worked well with Frankie Dettori. The Hardwicke looks to be the right race for him," said Gosden. Postponed is anther major contender, having pushed the aforementioned Western Hymn close in the Gordon Richards Stakes before finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Trainer Luca Cumani expects the step up in trip and the fast surface to bring about improvement. "Postponed will almost certainly have to produce a career-best performance to win and on a track that probably is not totally ideal," the handler said on his website. "Nonetheless, the return to a mile and a half for the first time this season will be in his favour and we can only hope the ground is still fast. "He has had unsuitably easy underfoot conditions on both his starts this year so we feel he has not yet been seen at his best." Ed Dunlop's globe-trotting star Red Cadeaux and the similarly well-travelled Sheikhzayedroad, trained by David Simcock, complete a select seven-runner field. James Doyle will partner three-times Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux for the first time. He said: "He is a world-famous horse and has put in a few massive runs in the Melbourne Cup. He seems to run a big race wherever he goes. Although he is getting on a bit, he seems to be in good shape. "I have never sat on him before, but I am looking forward to riding him, although it looks a tough race. The ground won't be a problem to him."
