17:05 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 19 June 2024

Premier Race Day Text
All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str)

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 2  |   1m  |   Good to Firm  |   29 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 17:06  |   Winning time: 1m 38.2s
Settings
Selected odds by:
Bookmaker logo.
1
(19)
Horse silk
Sonny Liston32
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-13| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR:  111| D
17/2
Runner-up in this last year and shaped well without having much luck in some competitive events subsequently. It all clicked when he scored with an improved showing at Newbury on reappearance and another bold showing seems likely.
|
Timeform
2
(16)
Horse silk
Sean18
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR:  108| D
33/1
Making second start for current yard, at least as good as ever when narrowly denied in a Meydan Group 3 in February. Has shaped as if still in good form since but others look better treated.
|
Timeform
3
(7)
Horse silk
Kingdom Come49
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: C G Cox| OR:  107
66/1
Low-mileage 5-y-o who confirmed promise of his Lingfield run when running out a good winner of the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in March. Struggled in listed company here last time and has a stiff task from a mark of 107.
|
Timeform
4
(23)
Horse silk
Holloway Boy60
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-7| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR:  105| BF| C
22/1
Debut winner in the Chesham at this meeting in 2022. Seen just twice last season and hasn't fired on either outing this term. Others are more persuasive.
|
Timeform
5
(5)
Horse silk
Streets Of Gold39
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR:  104
28/1
Unbeaten in 5 starts as a 2-y-o and posted his best effort last season when third in the Jersey Stakes here. Back on track when sixth in the Victoria Cup here last time, shaping as if worth a go over 1m, so not ruled out.
|
Timeform
6
(9)
Horse silk
Beshtanip19
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR:  104| D
13/2
Fairly useful form for Francis-Henri Graffard in France last year, winning 3 of his 5 starts at up to 9.5f. Changed hands for €340,000 prior to being narrowly denied at Epsom on return and worth chancing to go one better.
|
Timeform
7
(24)
Horse silk
Raadobargp,t53
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: G Boughey| OR:  103| D
40/1
Well prepped for a big run at the Curragh on reappearance but hasn't fired on either outing since. Has the right sort of style for this race, but hard to make a solid case for based on recent efforts.
|
Timeform
8
(17)
Horse silk
Perottoh312
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Varian| OR:  101| CD
25/1
2021 Britannia winner last seen looking as good as ever when scoring here 10 months ago and, while he'll need a career best, this is just his second season with Roger Varian and he should be tuned up for it.
|
Timeform
9
(29)
Horse silk
Real Gain60
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: R Hughes| OR:  101| D
9/1
Low-mileage 4-y-o who landed 9f handicap at Newmarket in September. Not disgraced when fifth in Darley Stakes there following month and likely needed his return at Newbury. Remains with potential and jockey booking catches the eye.
|
Timeform
10
(11)
Horse silk
Talis Evolvere32
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-2| J: Joe Leavy(5)| T: R Hannon| OR:  100| D
25/1
Successful twice on the AW during the winter and further progress when landing a valuable Newcastle handicap in March. Continued the good work returned to turf when third in competitive events at Newbury and might well be on the premises again.
|
Timeform
11
(22)
Horse silk
Coeur d'Ort26
Age: 8|  Weight: 9-2| J: C D Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR:  100| D
12/1
Took a couple of good prizes in Irish handicaps last year and very much caught the eye faced with an inadequate test at the Curragh on return, finishing well. Back up to ideal distance with tongue tie back on, so all set for a bold showing.
|
Timeform
12
(28)
Horse silk
Bless Himh11
Age: 10|  Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR:  100| CD
28/1
Smart gelding who resumed from 7 months off with a good third of 21 in Victoria Cup here. Struggled up in grade at Haydock next time but can't be discounted given his excellent course record.
|
Timeform
13
(15)
Horse silk
Padishakh88
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: D O'Meara| OR:  100| D
80/1
First run since leaving Roger Varian when 19¾ lengths sixth of 7 to Charyn in listed race (11/1) at Doncaster (8f, heavy) 88 days ago. Useful at his best in France and return to a sounder surface could help, but doesn't appear to have much in hand of his mark.
|
Timeform
14
(14)
Horse silk
The Gatekeeper88
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: C Johnston| OR:  100| CD
40/1
Rounded off a fine 2023 season with success in the valuable Balmoral Handicap over C&D in October. Ridden too aggressively in the Lincoln on reappearance and could get back on track.
|
Timeform
15
(12)
Horse silk
Ropey Guestv39
Age: 7|  Weight: 9-2| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR:  100| D
40/1
Was in top form towards the end of 2023 and returned with a smooth-travelling fifth in the Victoria Cup here last month. Just as effective over 1m and should strip fitter for his return, so not ruled out.
|
Timeform
16
(1)
Horse silk
Aerion Power17(ex 5)
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR:  95| D
33/1
Looked as good as ever when edging out Great Blasket (won next time) despite racing freely at Nottingham last time. Has a penalty for that and his style should suit the nature of this race, so could go well.
|
Timeform
17
(27)
Horse silk
Blue For Youv19
Age: 6|  Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR:  99| D
28/1
Encouraging start to present campaign when fourth of 17 at York (first run following a wind op). Possible that he didn't handle Epsom next time and has plenty of course experience but others are still more persuasive.
|
Timeform
18
(3)
Horse silk
Thunder Ballb47
Age: 4|  Weight: 9-1| J: Alec Voikhansky(3)| T: P & O Cole| OR:  99| D
33/1
Deservedly gained a second career win at Goodwood in October and resumed with a couple of promising efforts, shaping well under another attacking ride when fourth of 21 in handicap at Newbury on penultimate outing. Rare poor run at Newmarket last time and blinkers go back on.
|
Timeform
20
(20)
Horse silk
Wild Tigerp26
Age: 5|  Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR:  98
11/2
5-y-o who missed whole of last season but, fit from a spell in Meydan, has returned firmly on the up, scoring comfortably at Yarmouth and Goodwood. Type to go on improving and makes obvious appeal.
|
Timeform
21
(2)
Horse silk
Mirsky34
Age: 5|  Weight: 8-13| J: M Guyon| T: D O'Meara| OR:  97| D
80/1
Useful ex-French performer who ran creditably on the back of 6 months off (acquired for €37,000) when keeping on fifth in Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m). Might have found the race coming too soon at York next time and remains unexposed for this shrewd stable.
|
Timeform
22
(30)
Horse silk
Fantastic Fox19
Age: 6|  Weight: 8-13| J: Aidan Keeley(3)| T: R Varian| OR:  97| D
33/1
Latest win at Lingfield in January. Creditable fifth of 15 in handicap at Epsom (8.5f, soft, 11/1) 19 days ago, left with too much to do. Could get competitive if things drop right.
|
Timeform
23
(8)
Horse silk
Metal Merchant32
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR:  97| CD
18/1
C&D winner. 6/1, creditable 2½ lengths second of 12 to Sonny Liston in handicap at Newbury (8f, good to firm) 32 days ago. Likeable sort who should give another good account.
|
Timeform
24
(10)
Horse silk
Daysofourlivesv131
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-13| J: L Morris| T: M Botti| OR:  97| CD
20/1
Three-time winner who returned better than ever with a couple of excellent placed efforts at Newmarket. Already a C&D winner and visor goes on for the first time, so worthy of respect.
|
Timeform
25
(4)
Horse silk
Tempusb132
Age: 8|  Weight: 8-12| J: K Shoemark| T: A Watson| OR:  96| CD
33/1
Successful twice in Group company in 2022 and though generally below par last year, he proved that plenty of ability remains when runner-up in a listed contest at Kempton in December. Both subsequent efforts have been poor, though. Blinkers go on.
|
Timeform
27
(18)
Horse silk
King's Codev4
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: P D Evans| OR:  93| D
40/1
Real success story for his yard, adding more wins at Southwell and Kempton at the beginning of the year. Proved beyond doubt he's still every bit as big a force on turf as all-weather when bumping into a Group-race bound winner at York and was quickly back on track at Chester 4 days ago.
|
Timeform
28
(25)
Horse silk
Dutch Decoy19
Age: 7|  Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR:  93| D
33/1
Cracking servant to connections who looked as good as ever this spring, runner-up in back-to-back competitive Newmarket handicaps. Couple of sub-par efforts since, however, so has a bit to prove in this company.
|
Timeform
29
(31)
Horse silk
Regheeb27
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR:  92| D
33/1
Debut winner at Nottingham last season before landing short odds at Lingfield on third run. Good efforts both starts since back on turf but needs more if he's to seriously compete from this mark in such a competitive event.
|
Timeform
30
(21)
Horse silk
Eldrickjones33
Age: 5|  Weight: 8-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR:  92| BF| D
66/1
Successful twice at Newcastle last year and stepped up on recent return when bolting up in 11-runner handicap there in May. Not in the same form at York next time and may find this too competitive.
|
Timeform
31
(32)
Horse silk
Crack Shot27
Age: 4|  Weight: 8-8| J: M Barzalona| T: E Walker| OR:  92| BF| D
11/2
Progressive at 3 yrs and made a winning return at Newmarket in May. Did enough to suggest he remains in good heart when only fourth at Sandown last time and he's still relatively unexposed, so may have more in him.
|
Timeform

Non-Runners

19
(13)
Horse silk
Silent Film57
Weight: 9-0|  Age: 6
T: Ian Williams  J: Non Runner
NR
26
(26)
Horse silk
Imperial Fighter4
Weight: 8-11|  Age: 5
T: J A Osborne  J: Callum Shepherd
NR

Forecasts

Wild Tiger (11/2), Crack Shot (11/2), Beshtani (13/2), Sonny Liston (17/2), Real Gain (9/1), Coeur d'Or (12/1), Metal Merchant (18/1), Daysofourlives (20/1), Holloway Boy (22/1), Perotto (25/1), Talis Evolvere (25/1), Bless Him (28/1), Blue For You (28/1), Streets Of Gold (28/1), Fantastic Fox (33/1), Sean (33/1), Dutch Decoy (33/1), Regheeb (33/1), Aerion Power (33/1), Thunder Ball (33/1), Tempus (33/1), Silent Film (33/1), King's Code (40/1), Ropey Guest (40/1), Raadobarg (40/1), The Gatekeeper (40/1), Eldrickjones (66/1), Kingdom Come (66/1), Imperial Fighter (66/1), Mirsky (80/1), Padishakh (80/1)

Verdict

BESHTANI showed that he's still improving when an excellent second at Epsom on return and, with that form having been boosted by the winner since, he gets the vote to go one better at the possible expense of Wild Tiger, who is progressing fast. Sonny Liston is another big player and Real Gain still has some potential intact.

Previous Winners

2023
Weight: 9-5  |Age: 4
22/1
2022
Weight: 9-1  |Age: 4
13/2
2021
Weight: 8-9  |Age: 4
18/1

Prize Money

1st: £90,195.002nd: £42,298.003rd: £21,158.004th: £10,570.005th: £5,285.006th: £2,642.00

MOST READ RACING

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

RACING TIPS

Next Off