Hackwood Stakes: The Tin Man should prove a level above

The Hackwood Stakes has been won by some top sprinters this century, most notably Invincible Spirit (2001), Deacon Blues (2011) and The Tin Man (2016). Both Deacon Blues and The Tin Man were trained by James Fanshawe, who is the most successful trainer in the race with three wins, and The Tin Man returns this year to try and further enhance Fanshawe’s record.

The Tin Man has progressed into a top-level sprinter since winning this race three years ago, going on to win the Champions Sprint at Ascot later that season, before adding to his tally with further Group 1 wins in 2018 (Diamond Jubilee Stakes) and 2019 (Haydock Sprint Cup).

Admittedly, the popular seven-year-old could only finish third in a listed event that he had won the previous two years on his return at Windsor in May, though he shaped as if retaining all his ability in going down by only two lengths to the progressive Dream of Dreams, who was in receipt of 7 lb. His latest effort in the Diamond Jubilee – when again behind Dream of Dreams after failing to travel with his usual fluency – was less encouraging, but the drop back in grade here will help his chances, the clear standard-setter on weight-adjusted ratings, and it is probably only a matter of time before he returns to Group 1 company if getting back on track.

The biggest danger to The Tin Man according to the betting is Snazzy Jazzy, who dead-heated with a progressive filly in a listed race at Salisbury last time. Unbeaten as a juvenile, he took some time to get up to speed last season, but finished the year strongly, winning the Ayr Silver Cup and a Group 3 event at Maisons-Laffitte, both of which came on soft or heavy ground.

Snazzy Jazzy had his conditions when finishing third on his return in the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock in June, and was seemingly unlucky not to win outright back over six furlongs at Salisbury last time. Conceding weight all-round, he showed improved form with his reappearance under his belt, doing really well to join the winner on the line having been hampered over two furlongs out and having to switch to get a run. It would be folly to ignore his claims back in pattern company now, and the forecast showers around Newbury this week will help his cause further.

DEAD HEAT!

Snazzy Jazzy and Archer's Dream share the honours in the Cathedral Stakes at @salisburyraces in a thrilling finish to the Listed feature pic.twitter.com/4bH8RIkQOG

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) 16 June 2019

Three-year-olds have acquitted themselves well in this race over the years, with Yafta becoming the seventh winner for the classic generation this century 12 months ago. They have a strong representation in this year’s renewal, too, the most interesting of which is perhaps Oxted. He is the least exposed runner among the entries with just three career starts, a surprise winner of a minor event at Salisbury on his return in April, before showing much improved form when half a length second to Khaadem in a listed race over C&D last time, pulling clear of the remainder. It is a slight concern that we haven’t seen him since, but he has plenty about him physically, and there should be even more progress in him.

Khaadem hasn’t advertised that form since, though, putting up a disappointing display in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time. Admittedly, that was a much tougher contest, and he was ridden more patiently than usual, but on the pick of his form he should have been much more competitive. Khaadem had looked a good prospect beforehand, so it is probably best not to judge him too harshly on that sole run, and it would be no surprise were he to prove much more competitive now returned to the track where he recorded his career-best effort.

The Roger Charlton-trained Projection is another who was below form at Royal Ascot last time, finishing around three and three quarter lengths behind The Tin Man in the Diamond Jubilee. He isn’t a frequent winner, either, with his win in the Bengough Stakes at Ascot (by neck from Dream of Dreams) last October being his first for three years. Projection is yet to reach a similar level of form in two starts so far this season and, though this represents a drop in grade, others look more persuasive from a win perspective.

Laugh A Minute and Recon Mission are fairly prominent in the ante-post market, but both also hold entries in the Scottish Stewards’ Cup at Hamilton on Friday evening. The first-named has acquitted himself well at this level so far this season, taking well to the all-weather when finishing second to the much-superior Invincible Army in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last time. His limitations in pattern company are rather exposed at this stage, though.

Recon Mission recorded his first win for these connections in a handicap at York last time, putting the icing on what has been an excellent start for this yard. His only blip so far came in the Dash at Epsom, but he was well suited by the speed-favouring six furlongs on the Knavesmire, burning all of his rivals off impressively before naturally tiring late on. Such tactics will be harder to pull off at this course in this deeper grade, but he is clearly thriving at present and will command respect if taking his chance.

#RTVMomentOfTheDay Recon Mission and Robert Winston held off the charge of the favourite Victory Day to win the big prize at @yorkracecourse

Watch all the action from York, Sandown, Downpatrick and Limerick for free in our results and replay section >>> https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/iBiySbbJur

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) 15 June 2019

One trainer who will be doing the rain dance this week is Andrew Balding, who is responsible for Donjuan Triumphant. He came on as expected for his reappearance when finishing second to Brando in a minor event at Hamilton last time, and though that rival has run below form in the July Cup since, Donjuan Triumphant would command respect here if the ground has any soft in the description.

Keystroke was unable to repeat his Abernant winning form when finishing nearer last than first in the Diamond Jubilee last time, but he did shape much better than his finishing position suggests. He typically travelled well in the rear, but wandered and made little impression when asked for his effort; he will likely be more effective back in Group 3 company now, though a 3 lb penalty for his win at Newmarket makes life difficult.

In summary, it is hard to get away from the claims of The Tin Man, who is a bona-fide Group 1 performer who should have no problem in dispatching these rivals if at his best, with a confidence-booster here likely set him up nicely for the Sprint Cup at Haydock, a race he won in 2018. Snazzy Jazzy is feared most, especially if the rain arrives, while Khaadem is well worth another chance after a blip at Royal Ascot last time.

Recommendation:

Back The Tin Man at 9/4 in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday