Expert analysis and trainer quotes to help you decipher a tricky Royal Hunt Cup

Royal Hunt Cup (Class 2 heritage handicap) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

So much of the Royal Hunt Cup comes down to the draw. This year, we have two more or less novel guides as to how things might pan out. The main one is obviously the Silver Hunt Cup, which opens Wednesday's card.

Tuesday's first race, the Buckingham Palace Handicap is also a handy guide and on the surface its conclusion was pretty emphatic. The first four were drawn 26, 22, 16, 27. The field in the Queen Anne took the hint, eventually agreeing to congregate on the stands rail.

Runners in the 2015 Royal Hunt Cup thunder down the straight mile at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

It might not be that simple. The Silver Hunt Cup will have more of a bearing in jockeys' minds, for a start, especially if overnight rain arrives. It also needs to be considered that the stands' side group in the Buckingham Palace was more cohesive. Hollie Doyle would not have made her early bid for glory down the middle on Glen Shiel had her group been on terms.

It seems inevitable that those drawn high will be more popular at least until racing starts on Wednesday. The way the pace is balanced would also lean towards the high stalls. Although there is enough of a spread to suggest nothing will be marooned, the likes of Pogo (23), Fox Champion (17) and Wargrave (21) mean there is greater concentration among those drawn high.

Lord Tennyson is drawn in 14, which is high enough in a 23-runner race if a bias does exist. His form was boosted on Tuesday, with Marie's Diamond finishing third in the Queen Anne, although she had the run of the race and his opening mark of 107 means he will have to show probably Group 2-standard form on just his third run.

While that is asking a lot of him, it is not entirely atypical for a modern Hunt Cup winner. The quality of winning performance has tended upwards in recent years, the last six winners having posted RPRs between 110 and 115.

Dark Vision is a personal fancy, having shaped best in a classy handicap at Newcastle. It is reasonable to infer that he is back to the form that won him the Vintage Stakes a couple of years back. Stall 11 does not readily count as 'high', but one of the main pace angles is stablemate Vale Of Kent who is right next door in 12.
Analysis by Keith Melrose

Rodriguez hoping for first-time luck

Callum Rodriguez is hoping that Ascot continues to prove his ‘lucky’ track as he ventures south for his first rides at a Royal meeting.

The northern-based jockey partners What’s The Story for Keith Dalgleish in the mile cavalry charge, and believes the six-year-old has all the attributes to run a big race.

“I’m really excited,” Rodriguez said. “If you go back two years he finished a close fourth in the race. I know he’s a lot higher in the weights now, but that’s for a good reason.

“It will be my first experience at a Royal meeting [also rides Red Bond in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup].

“I’ve been down to Ascot three or four times and ridden a winner on each occasion so it’s a bit of a lucky track for me. Let’s hope that continues.”

He added: “Whenever you go to Ascot you know you’re going to ride a good quality of horse. It gets the adrenaline flowing and gives you a huge buzz. I can’t wait.”

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of Alrajaa, Lord Tennyson and Beatboxer
Alrajaa was very progessive last year mainly on the all-weather. He has form on turf, but has a lot of weight. Lord Tennyson ran well at Newmarket the other day. He has already been jacked up to a mark of 107, but should run a nice race although he is short on experience. Beatboxer has his own way of doing things, but it will be good to get him back on track.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Fox Champion, Qaysar and Fox Power
I have a lot of time for Qaysar as he just kept on improving last year and ran an excellent race on his comeback at Newmarket. That run will have really sharpened him up. He’s tough, consistent, goes on any ground and has a touch of class. Fox Champion could be the dark horse in the race as he badly needed the run at Haydock and it wasn’t long ago that he was mixing it in Group 1s with the likes of Circus Maximus and Too Darn Hot. He is better than his last couple of runs and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run a mighty race at big odds. Fox Power has developed into a smart and consistent colt. His work has been good and hopefully he can run into a place if getting some luck.

Dominic Ffrench Davis, trainer of Indeed
He’s on a high mark of 107 now, but I do believe it is one he can still win off. The Hunt Cup is so competitive this year that he isn’t giving a huge amount of weight away to any other runners. He also held his own in Group 3 and Listed races last year against horses rated higher than he is. He did a super piece of work last Wednesday and looks in tremendous order so fingers crossed he puts his best foot forward and runs a good race.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Afaak and Pogo
Both are in good nick. Over the years Pogo seems to have improved for a run, he won second time out last year. I was really impressed with his race at Newmarket, he should come on and he’s in fine form and with a nice draw, the same as Afaak. Afaak is drawn pretty close to where he was last year when he won, which was first time out. It’s a 3lb higher mark but Cieren [Fallon] takes off the three so it’s a similar mark really. He seems to like Ascot.

Roger Varian, trainer of Willie John
He has got further than this in the past but I now feel a stiff mile will suit him best. Hopefully they don't get too much more rain as he's a top of the ground horse.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Petrus
The ground might be against him. We have a runner on Tuesday so we'll get a proper feel for it. But it's a case of watch this space if the ground is not right, because he does like fast ground.

William Haggas, trainer of Montatham
It's a very strong race as usual and quite a sharp rise in grade for him. He won a less competitive race very well at Newmarket and should be fine at the trip and on the ground.

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