Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden and runner-up Red Cadeaux could be set to clash again in Saturday’s Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden beat Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux by a nose in last November’s Melbourne Cup and confirmed superiority in the Hong Kong Vase.
Both trainers have signalled their intentions to contest the Flemington showpiece again this year.
The pair face plenty of competition among 18 entries in the Group Two event as John Gosden has confirmed the fast-improving Aiken, who beat Dunaden in the Grand Prix de Chantilly, and last year’s St Leger winner Masked Marvel.
Last year’s winner Await The Dawn is missing from the Aidan O’Brien squad while the trainer has included Fame And Glory as a precaution against missing the Gold Cup.
O’Brien can also pick from Memphis Tennessee, Robin Hood, Treasure Beach and Windsor Palace.
Adding strength in depth are Testosterone, a smart filly in France who has moved to Dunlop and Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up Sea Moon.
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt beat another Hardwicke entry, Dandino, on his comeback at Goodwood.
