Royal Ascot 2021: Royal Hunt Cup runners, odds and verdict

Part of Royal Ascot's unique appeal is its big-field handicaps, and Wednesday's Royal Hunt Cup (5.00) is an enthralling cavalry charge over a straight mile. With so many runners involved, it often pays to look beyond the favourite.

5.00 Ascot Wednesday: Royal Hunt Cup racecard and betting

1 Bell Rock

Won at Newmarket on reappearance then ran creditably at Epsom; sixth in this last year

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: William Carver
Odds: 20-1

2 Haqeeqy

Beaten favourite here last time but progressive otherwise; impressive in the Lincoln

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Odds: 10-1

3 Bowerman

Recent Listed/Group efforts suggest he's unlikely to run to his current mark

Trainer: Ado McGuinness
Jockey: Ronan Whelan
Odds: 33-1

4 Escobar

Won similar event over C&D in 2019; close third in the Victoria Cup here three runs ago

Trainer: David O'Meara
Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Odds: 25-1

5 What's The Story

Form figures in this contest read 400; looks unlikely to make it fourth time lucky

Trainer: Keith Dalgleish
Jockey: Joe Fanning
Odds: 33-1

6 Brunch

Good second in the Lincoln and the Hambleton Handicap this term; should go well again

Trainer: Michael Dods
Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Odds: 14-1

7 Beat Le Bon

Strong finisher at Doncaster 12 days ago; due to go up 2lb in future; not ruled out

Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Odds: 22-1

8 Maydanny

Sole runner for last year's winning yard; may well build on reappearance effort

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Dane O'Neill
Odds: 18-1

9 Grove Ferry

Chester success is working out well; has progressive RPRs in the main; one to consider

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Odds: 10-1

10 Power Of States

Did well on AW in autumn/winter; now 25lb higher than when last seen on turf

Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: James Doyle
Odds: 50-1

11 Ascension

Bounced back to form with Newbury win but he ideally needs slow ground

Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: David Egan
Odds: 25-1

12 Trais Fluors

8lb higher than for Sandown success last Saturday but remains well treated on best form

Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa
Odds: 28-1

13 Lucander

Has the ability to take a serious hand but could have done with slower ground back over 1m

Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Rob Hornby
Odds: 25-1

14 Magical Morning

Second to Matthew Flinders at Doncaster when last seen; open to further improvement

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Odds: 7-1

15 Matthew Flinders

Best to forgive latest run; still unexposed over 1m; remains the type to land a big prize

Trainer: Ed Walker
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Odds: 12-1

16 Finest Sound

Second in last year's Britannia; also in good form this season; major contender

Trainer: Simon and Ed Crisford
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Odds: 15-2

17 Eastern World

Disappointing in two races won by Haqeeqy; needs to show form of Meydan win in February

Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Odds: 20-1

18 Fame And Acclaim

Good second at the Curragh on last two starts for Joseph O'Brien; debut for new stable

Trainer: Les Eyre
Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Odds: 22-1

19 Astro King

Narrowly beat Finest Sound at Nottingham then ran well in Thirsk Hunt Cup; shortlisted

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Odds: 8-1

20 Bugle Major

Ex-French gelding; only fifth of six at Newmarket on British debut

Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Odds: 66-1

21 Cliffs Of Capri

Form figures at Ascot read 1513424; however, he's weighted to the hilt

Trainer: Jamie Osborne
Jockey: Dougie Costello
Odds: 33-1

22 Layfayette

Won notable handicap at the Curragh in March; good effort next time; enters calculations

Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Colin Keane
Odds: 18-1

23 Irish Admiral

The race didn't go his way at Epsom last time; still unexposed and can't be dismissed

Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Odds: 12-1

24 Hortzadar

Had the run of things when second at Epsom 12 days ago; this is a much harder task

Trainer: David O'Meara
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Odds: 40-1

25 Ouzo

Has finished behind some of these rivals in two good handicaps this term

Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Sean Levey
Odds: 50-1

26 Teston

Mixed results since his Doncaster success 12 months ago; others preferred

Trainer: Ivan Furtado
Jockey: Jason Hart
Odds: 100-1

27 Revich

Respectable efforts this season but needs to find some improvement in new headgear

Trainer: Richard Spencer
Jockey: Hayley Turner
Odds: 66-1

28 Real World

Consistent form on Polytrack/dirt; bit to prove in hot race on turf debut

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: Marco Ghiani (3)
Odds: 40-1

29 Fantasy Believer

Record of 3-6 on AW compared to 0-11 on turf; opposed

Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Odds: 66-1

30 Pepperoni Pete

Has shot up the weights this term and may be in the grip of the assessor now

Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Shane Foley
Odds: 66-1

The verdict

The vote goes to Matthew Flinders, who remains the type to win a race of this nature. Second choice is Magical Morning.

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Read more on Royal Ascot 2021:

Royal Ascot tips: Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and Tom Collins share their best bets

The six jockeys and trainers who could enjoy a Royal Ascot breakthrough

The must-watch race on each of the five days at Royal Ascot

Check out the Racing Post Royal Ascot microsite for the latest tips and odds for the royal meeting. The best Royal Ascot betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.