Royal Ascot tips: Who should I bet on in the 3.40pm Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot today?

THE Hardwicke Stakes sees the return of Derby hero Masar, but who will our top tipsters be backing?

With tips from our very own Templegate, Matt Chapman and the latest race trends, we’ve got the all-important views on each race right here.

Who is running in the Hardwicke Stakes?

What are the top tips for the race?

Templegate – Lah Ti Dar

Star filly LAH TI DAR seems a crazy price. The bookies’ odds compilers have clearly over-reacted to her Epsom flop in the Coronation Cup.

I’m not worried about that. She didn’t have a great position in the early stages and she gradually lost her place before trailing home a well-beaten sixth. I put that down to her not handling the descent through Tattenham Corner so I’m happy to forgive her what was a way below-par effort.

Matt Chapman – Lah Ti Dar

Wizard Of Odds – Lah Ti Dar

LAH TI DAR looks a big price in the Hardwicke Stakes. Many have written her off thanks to a below par run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time out. That was coming just two weeks after a big effort to win a York Group 2 on comeback where she looked as good as ever despite 1m2f being on the short side.

She was a close-up third at Group 1 level here last season, again after running a mighty race when second in the St Leger. She has few miles on the clock for a four-year-old and her best form would see her go very close.

Trends – Masar

The trends have reduced them to Masar and Southern France. The former has not run since winning the 2018 Derby and none of the past 10 winners of this race were coming back from such a long break. That said, very few have tried.

But Southern France has yet to win beyond Listed class so MASAR can overcome his absence to lift the prize.