Seniority 12-1 to triumph for Queen after booking late slot in Hunt Cup

The Queen will have an extra interest at Royal Ascot on Wednesday after two non-runners in the Hunt Cup enabled her second reserve Seniority to squeeze in.

Wahash was an earlier non-runner, and then William Haggas – who also trains Seniority – withdrew Mubtasim. Both horses were taken out after being found to be lame.

Seniority has won his two starts this season and was immediately installed among the market leaders for the Hunt Cup at around 12-1.

The Queen has 23 Royal Ascot victories to her name, and has Fabricate running for her in the Wolferton Stakes on Tuesday.

Order Of St George heads nine declarations for Thursday's Gold Cup. Last year's showpiece produced arguably the moment of the meeting when Big Orange dramatically denied Order Of St George a second triumph in the race in an epic finish.

Order Of St George will not have to take on Big Orange this time, with Michael Bell's star stayer on the sidelines this season through injury.

Stradivarius, who made an impressive seasonal return when winning the Yorkshire Cup last month, heads the opposition to Aidan O'Brien's stat.

Ascot Thursday cards and betting

Classy French raider Vazirabad adds another interesting element, with Alain de Royer-Dupre's six-year-old having his first experience of the meeting.

The highlight for fillies on Thursday is the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, with Oaks runner-up Wild Illusion one of nine declarations.

She will renew rivalries with Magic Wand and Perfect Clarity, who finished fourth and seventh behind her in the Oaks.

Sun Maiden, a 12-length winner of a Salisbury novice last time out, is an interesting contender for Sir Michael Stoute, while Aidan O'Brien has Athena and Sarrocchi in addition to Magic Wand.

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