Royal Ascot live on Sky Sports Racing: Owen Burrows gives Hukum the green light for Hardwicke Stakes target | Racing News

Royal Ascot’s Hardwicke Stakes remains to be the goal for Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner Hukum, who handed Derby winner Desert Crown his first defeat at Sandown earlier this month.

Owen Burrows was glad to report the Shadwell-owned six-year-old returned to his Lambourn yard in advantageous fettle after his first run for 11 months.

Hukum had three screws inserted in a hind leg after struggling an harm when profitable final yr’s Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Having made a exceptional restoration, beneath a advantageous journey from Jim Crowley, he produced a telling burst to collar Desert Crown and take the Group Three 10-furlong prize by half a size.

“Hukum fortunately trotted up sound the subsequent morning all good and had just a little canter on Saturday. That was crucial bit,” mentioned Burrows.

“He’s journey versatile. We’re simply going to be within the lap of the gods to see what kind of summer season we’ve got this yr. He would not want it tender, however he does want it secure, good floor.

“Jim has at all times made that time and I am in settlement. Speaking to (Shadwell proprietor) Sheikha Hissa the next day, she was in settlement as nicely.

“I’ve not received him within the Prince of Wales’s or an Eclipse, however as you realize nicely with the British summertime, if the forecast is a bit moist, we would simply should have a dialog.”

Ought to floor situations be beneficial, there’s the fascinating prospect of a conflict with stablemate Anmaat, who received Monday’s Prix d’Ispahan at ParisLongchamp.

“We have now Anmaat in each the Prince Of Wales’s and the Eclipse, so it will be a pleasant drawback to have,” he added.

“We will probably be watching the climate with Hukum and I at all times mentioned the Brigadier Gerard can be a prep for the Hardwicke, but when the Hardwicke turned up good to agency, we would have to attend.

“There may be the Eclipse at first of July and a race in France in early July over a mile and a half. There may be the King George on the finish of July, however we will probably be on a relentless climate watch.”