Stars in line for Hardwicke Across The Stars remains on course to try and register back-to-back victories at Royal Ascot after being given the go-ahead to tackle the Hardwicke Stakes. Plans are in place to run the four-year-old in the Group Two contest as he seeks to follow up his victory in the King Edward VII Stakes at the meeting 12 months ago. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained son of Sea The Stars finished down the field on his return to action last month in a Group Three at Newbury. Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said: "The plan is for Across The Stars to go for the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. "He is a pretty good horse as he is a Group Two winner, but has had a tendency to go wrong before his races as he just gets a temperature." Across The Stars will be joined at the meeting by his hat-trick seeking stable mate City Of Joy, who is on course for a tilt at the Britannia Stakes. Raymond added: "City Of Joy has done well winning his last two races and goes for the Britannia. As he is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, I am sure he will be one of the favourites."
