17:00 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 16 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str)

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 2  |   1m  |   Good to Firm  |   30 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 17:02  |   Winning time: 1m 38.04s
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1
(7)
Horse silk
Bell Rockp11
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-10| J: William Carver(5)| T: A M Balding| OR:  109| BF| D
50/1
Smart performer who took form up another notch when winning 9f Newmarket handicap on reappearance in May. Third in Epsom Group 3 since and he was a respectable sixth in this 12 months ago.
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Timeform
2
(21)
Horse silk
Haqeeqy49
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR:  107| BF| D
9/1
Took form up another notch with smooth Lincoln win in March. Beaten favourite in C&D listed since but that was a muddling race and this return to a big-field handicap could see him in a better light.
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Timeform
3
(13)
Horse silk
Bowerman14
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-7| J: R P Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR:  106| D
80/1
Started his year by bagging a valuable prize in Doha but he hasn't been in the same form at listed/Group 3 level in Ireland since. Others more obvious.
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Timeform
4
(14)
Horse silk
Escobart11
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR:  106| CD
40/1
Failed to fire in Dubai at start of year but very much back on track when third in Victoria Cup here (7f) in May. Not disgraced in Diomed at Epsom latest. Has several good efforts in handicaps here.
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Timeform
5
(10)
Horse silk
What's The Storyp34
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR:  105| D
40/1
Competing in this race for the fourth time, running well for fourth in 2018 but only midfield twice since. Has recorded 2 creditable efforts in 2021 but remains 2 lb above his highest winning mark.
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Timeform
6
(25)
Horse silk
Brunch34
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR:  104| BF| D
9/1
Had a very productive 2020 and has kicked on again this term with runner-up finishes in Lincoln (to Haqeeqy) and competitive event at York's Dante meeting. Likely to give another good account.
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Timeform
7
(2)
Horse silk
Beat Le Bon12
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR:  103| D
28/1
Smart 7f/1m performer who is now 1 lb lower than when winning Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood in 2019. Ran on well for second at Doncaster latest and he's an each-way contender under Hollie Doyle.
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Timeform
8
(24)
Horse silk
Maydanny46
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston| OR:  101| D
12/1
Back on the up in no uncertain terms when making all in 1¼m Glorious Goodwood handicap last July. Good reappearance second at Newmarket (9f) and he's of interest with the return to 1m likely to suit.
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Timeform
9
(30)
Horse silk
Grove Ferry40
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR:  101| D
12/1
Couldn't get competitive in the Lincoln but he's built up a very solid record overall, quickly bouncing back from that Doncaster effort to score at Chester last month. Raised 4 lb for that.
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Timeform
10
(23)
Horse silk
Power Of Statest,v109
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR:  101| D
100/1
Has been an improved performer on AW since last autumn, winning 5 times in this visor and tongue tie combination. Kept fresh since good fourth in Winter Derby. Needs to show he's as good on turf.
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Timeform
11
(29)
Horse silk
Ascension32
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR:  100| D
33/1
Only midfield in the Lincoln on reappearance. Folded tamely behind Grove Ferry at Chester next time but got firmly back on track with a 1m Newbury win last month. 5 lb rise demands further progress.
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Timeform
12
(28)
Horse silk
Trais Fluors4(ex 5)
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR:  95| D
28/1
Snapped a losing run when stepping up on his previous efforts for this yard to see off 9 rivals at Sandown last weekend. More needed under a 4 lb penalty in this much deeper race.
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Timeform
13
(11)
Horse silk
Lucander25
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR:  99| BF| D
50/1
Scored at York last August and largely good efforts in defeat subsequently, including second in Cambridgeshire. Good reappearance second back at Newmarket. Likely to give his running again.
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Timeform
14
(26)
Horse silk
Magical Morning277
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR:  99| D
12/1
Dual novice winner last June who wrapped up his 3-y-o campaign with a good second to Matthew Flinders at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) in September. One of the least exposed in the line-up.
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Timeform
15
(15)
Horse silk
Matthew Flinders34
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR:  99| D
7/1
Progressed well in first season, including beating Magical Morning to win at Doncaster in September. Excellent third in Newbury Spring Cup on return and couple of possible excuses at York since.
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Timeform
16
(9)
Horse silk
Finest Soundt53
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S & E Crisford| OR:  99| D
11/1
Runner-up in Britannia at this meeting last year and has progressed again since, narrowly denied by Astro King at Nottingham before scoring at Haydock. Potential for better still. Major player.
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Timeform
17
(8)
Horse silk
Eastern World64
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR:  99| BF| D
20/1
Improved to score at Meydan in February and perhaps did a bit too much in front when disappointing favourite in Lincoln. Better than he could show (not clear run) when fourth at Newmarket (7f) since.
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Timeform
18
(32)
Horse silk
Fame And Acclaim24
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR:  99| D
50/1
Ended his time with Joseph O'Brien with a couple of runner-up efforts in big-field handicaps at the Curragh this spring. Should be competitive if showing up in similar form on first run for Les Eyre.
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Timeform
19
(27)
Horse silk
Astro King46
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR:  98| D
11/2
Made it 3 wins in 5 starts when digging deep to fend off Finest Sound on Nottingham reappearance. Good third in Thirsk Hunt Cup since, keeping on from further back than ideal. One for the shortlist.
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Timeform
20
(12)
Horse silk
Bugle Major25
Age: 6|  Weight: 8-13| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hughes| OR:  98
150/1
Useful and consistent sort in France for Pascal Bary but well-beaten fifth of 6 on his Newmarket stable debut 25 days ago and will need to leave that well behind.
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Timeform
21
(20)
Horse silk
Cliffs Of Caprib49
Age: 7|  Weight: 8-12| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR:  97| C| D
40/1
Reached frame in Buckingham Palace and International here last summer. Made a creditable return to action when fourth over C&D in April and yard had a few run well in this before.
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Timeform
22
(22)
Horse silk
Layfayettep24
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-11| J: C T Keane| T: N Meade| OR:  96| D
20/1
Improved again with cheekpieces on when making a successful reappearance at the Curragh in March. Good fourth (Fame and Acclaim second) back there since.
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Timeform
23
(6)
Horse silk
Irish Admiral12
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR:  96| BF
18/1
Low-mileage 4-y-o who doubled career tally on AW yard debut in April and ran well when third in 1¼m York handicap next time. Perhaps unsuited by soft when beaten favourite since. Retains potential.
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Timeform
24
(18)
Horse silk
Hortzadar12
Age: 6|  Weight: 8-11| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR:  96| D
80/1
Returned better than ever when third of 18 in Lincoln in March. Underperformed in Thirsk Hunt Cup on penultimate start but back on track with Epsom second (8.5f, soft) 12 days ago.
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Timeform
25
(33)
Horse silk
Ouzo34
Age: 5|  Weight: 8-11| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR:  96| D
33/1
Reappeared with respectable seventh of 18 in Lincoln in March but not in the same form at York since. Others are much more obvious.
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Timeform
26
(17)
Horse silk
Testonp32
Age: 6|  Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR:  95| D
150/1
Started out for this yard in really good form last summer but he's failed to hit the same heights since, beaten a long way at Newmarket last month. Not hard to look elsewhere.
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Timeform
27
(16)
Horse silk
Revichb140
Age: 5|  Weight: 8-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: R Spencer| OR:  95| BF| D
66/1
Back-to-back Chester winner last August. Good fourth in Newbury Spring Cup in April but ran no more than respectably from a plum draw when fourth to Grove Ferry back at Chester since. Blinkers on.
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Timeform
28
(4)
Horse silk
Real Worldp197
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-9| J: Marco Ghiani(3)| T: S bin Suroor| OR:  94
18/1
Looked good when easily making winning debut at Chelmsford last autumn. Useful form in defeat at up to 1¼m on dirt at Meydan since. Now drops in trip for turf debut with cheekpieces replacing visor.
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Timeform
29
(5)
Horse silk
Fantasy Believer16
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-8| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR:  93| D
150/1
All 3 wins over 1m on Kempton's polytrack. Windsor second in May shows he's just as effective on the grass but he's failed to reproduce that twice since.
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Timeform
30
(3)
Horse silk
Pepperoni Petep,t24
Age: 5|  Weight: 8-8| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR:  93| D
100/1
Pair of wins over 1m in the mud in Ireland this spring but mark shot up as a result and he was behind a couple of these at the Curragh last time. Others are preferred.
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Timeform

Forecasts

Astro King (11/2), Matthew Flinders (7/1), Brunch (9/1), Haqeeqy (9/1), Finest Sound (11/1), Grove Ferry (12/1), Magical Morning (12/1), Maydanny (12/1), Real World (18/1), Irish Admiral (18/1), Layfayette (20/1), Eastern World (20/1), Beat Le Bon (28/1), Trais Fluors (28/1), Ouzo (33/1), Ascension (33/1), Cliffs Of Capri (40/1), Escobar (40/1), What's The Story (40/1), Fame And Acclaim (50/1), Lucander (50/1), Bell Rock (50/1), Revich (66/1), Hortzadar (80/1), Bowerman (80/1), Power Of States (100/1), Pepperoni Pete (100/1), Bugle Major (150/1), Fantasy Believer (150/1), Teston (150/1)

Verdict

FINEST SOUND was runner-up in the Britannia over C&D at last year's Royal meeting. He's advanced his form again since, including a win last time, and might be the answer to a typically tricky Hunt Cup. Astro King is another really solid contender, while Magical Morning, Irish Admiral and Matthew Flinders are low-mileage sorts whose best days are likely still ahead of them.

  1. FINEST SOUND (IRE)
  2. ASTRO KING (IRE)
  3. MAGICAL MORNING

Previous Winners

2024
Weight: 9-0  |Age: 5
11/2
2023
Weight: 9-5  |Age: 4
22/1
2022
Weight: 9-1  |Age: 4
13/2

Prize Money

1st: £64,800.002nd: £30,420.003rd: £15,216.004th: £7,608.00

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