The Royal Hunt Cup is a cavalry charge handicap run over a mile. It takes place at 17:00 on Wednesday 17th June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2026. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

Predict the Winner

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

18⁽²⁴⁾

7458-1

Erzindjan

J: Ryan Moore

T: T J Kent

9-3

101

120

Campaigned over 1m1f/1m2f for current yard; beat Fifth Column by half a length at Newmarket (good to firm) in sole run this season, ending a five-year losing spell and showing he retains plenty of ability aged eight; has form claims but doesn't seem to be crying out for this return to 1m.

14⁽³⁰⁾

639-06

Checkandchallenge

J: Rossa Ryan

T: William Knight

9-4

102

118

Very useful on his day and has plenty of Listed/Group form; however, needs to improve on his Newbury handicap efforts this season (beaten 4l both times) and remains badly out of the winning habit, with losing spell stretching back to 2023.

30⁽³⁾

148900

Witch Hunter

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

9-0

114

Defied a 5lb higher mark in the 7f handicap at this meeting three years ago and scored over 1m on AW in January; has lost his form, most recently finishing last in the Newbury event won by Classic; further Royal Ascot glory looks unlikely.

25⁽¹⁹⁾

128-21

Classic

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

9-1

118

Has less hidden up his sleeve than others, being a 6yo whose record is 4-24, but he arrives having been better than ever in useful handicaps at Newbury (1m, good) this term; finished second to Linwood on reappearance and weaved his way through to beat Indalo by a neck last time.

20⁽⁶⁾

1500-0

Godwinson

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

9-2

100

117

Got up in the final stride to win last year's Lincoln and followed up in useful AW handicap; not in the same form since and York defeat on stable/seasonal debut spoiled an otherwise good record when fresh; revival is far from guaranteed.

1⁽⁴⁾

-53232

Holloway Boy

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

10-0

112

119

Runner-up in C&D Listed contest last time, maintaining his consistency; Royal Ascot record includes a debut success in the 2022 Chesham and creditable fifth (off 7lb lower) in this race in 2024; Jack Nicholls takes off a useful 5lb; solid contender who again should give his running.

26⁽²⁷⁾

587/67

Swing Vote

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-1

116

Has been campaigned only on artificial surfaces, mostly in UAE, for current yard; generally out of form since a hat-trick that was over two years ago (missed the 2025 campaign); enough to prove in first turf attempt since his French days in 2023.

7⁽²²⁾

103-42

Cerulean Bay

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-7

105

119

Completed a Goodwood double during his 2025 campaign; good second in notable handicap at the York Dante festival (1m, good) most recently, going down by only a neck; he's paying the price for his consistency, however, with the assessor failing to relent.

8⁽³²⁾

224-04

Ebt's Guard

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

9-6

104

118

Dual winner at Ascot; hindered by trouble in the Spring Cup on reappearance and ran creditably kept to Newbury last time; far from disgraced when seventh in this contest last year but has a stiffer mark this time and his ceiling has seemingly been reached already.

2⁽¹⁷⁾

3-4566

Skukuza

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Ed Dunlop

9-12

110

116

Good second (off 20lb lower) in the Britannia at this meeting two years ago but he was progressive at the time, whereas his form has dipped in last two outings (normally a consistent sort, including at Group level); 2-2 at the Curragh compared to only 1-16 elsewhere; wears first-time headgear.

12⁽²⁰⁾

309-10

Urban Lion

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

9-4

102

119

Good fifth in this race last year but was in a progressive vein of form at the time; some inconsistency has crept in and he finished last (admittedly lost a shoe) in the Spring Cup at Newbury most recently, failing to back up the form of his narrow success in the Lincoln on reappearance.

27⁽⁸⁾

1412-2

Indalo

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

9-0

121

Unraced on softer than good; record is 4-11 (AW/turf); good second in the 2025 Cambridgeshire (would likely have won but for traffic issues) and Newbury event (collared by Classic) in last two appearances; progressive, represents last year's winning yard and has a big prize in him; respected.

4⁽⁷⁾

02-115

No Retreat

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Scott

9-9

107

115

Useful performer but has done much of his racing in the Middle East, winning three times; 0-5 in British events and suffered a heavy defeat (albeit with something possibly amiss) at Royal Ascot 12 months ago; something to prove off his mark.

21⁽¹⁾

248-00

Ozat

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ian Williams

9-2

100

116

Scored four times in France but has come up short in handicaps won by Linwood and Mister Winston since joining new stable, beaten about 7l both times; probably best watched until he's down the weights and his sights are lowered.

NR⁽¹⁶⁾

3351-1

Linwood

T: Richard Hannon

9-10

108

120

Ended last season with an easy success (good to soft; subsequently gelded) and followed up in the Spring Cup at Newbury (good) in sole start this term, taking record over 1m to 3-5 and overall strike-rate to 4-9; may be capable of further progress at this distance; enters calculations.

24⁽²⁶⁾

14-903

Shout

J: Jack Callan

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-1

120

Versatile as regards ground; perhaps didn't take to visor in the Britannia at this meeting 12 months ago; creditable fourth in major handicap last October when bidding for a C&D double; possibilities back in this scenario, especially as latest effort (third at York) represented a return to form.

10⁽²⁸⁾

640-72

Thunder Run

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

9-5

103

118

Back to form with second at the York Dante festival (good) in the 1m2f event he'd won 12 months earlier; before racing over longer trips he was a three-time 1m winner and ran creditably in major handicap over C&D once; may remain competitive.

6⁽¹⁸⁾

13-531

Archivist

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-7

105

114

In good form at Meydan this year for new yard, most recently scoring readily in first-time hood to take his 1m record to 22111 (all wins on good/firmer); may have even more to offer over this trip in the retained headgear; sound claims.

15⁽¹⁴⁾

100-02

Fifth Column

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-4

102

119

A regular in notable handicaps, bagging three (over 1m) during his progressive period last term and proving resurgent when close second to Erzindjan at Newmarket (1m1f) latest start; first home in the unfavoured group in the Britannia at this meeting 12 months ago; looks set to go well.

9⁽²⁾

2/90-7

Henlein

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

9-6

104

116

Capable of very useful form in Australia, notably a close second in 1m2f Group 1 contest in 2024; lightly raced since and 40-1 when seventh of 12 in Haydock handicap (7f) on British debut last time; best watched in this deep field.

17⁽¹⁰⁾

40-161

Mister Winston

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-4

116

Overcame trouble to win by 1l at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft) on Oaks day, taking record since being gelded to 2-3 and overall strike-rate to 4-12; returns to a hotter handicap but he's improving steadily and 1lb well in under a penalty; not dismissed.

28⁽³³⁾

11-257

Rogue Diplomat

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

9-0

119

Failed to fire in French Listed race last time; broadly progressive in handicaps and went close in the Lincoln when bidding for a five-timer (ran creditably in Spring Cup next time); however, chance partly depends on the weather, as he's ideally suited by ground softer than good.

16⁽⁵⁾

2-4078

La Botte

J: Mark Zahra

T: Harry Eustace

9-4

102

121

Has failed to build on an eye-catching reappearance effort but seemed to be outstayed over 1m2f most recently; unlucky second in the C&D Britannia at this meeting last year (good to firm; might well have won but for traffic issues) and looks very interesting back here, bidding for compensation.

NR⁽²⁵⁾

123-48

Chibitty

T: David Simcock

9-5

103

117

Broadly useful when trained in France but may be flattered by his biggest figure, having failed to back it up, latterly in two Meydan starts this year for new yard; something to prove off his mark in this first British attempt.

23⁽²¹⁾

1-4331

War Socks

J: David Egan

T: Niels Petersen

9-1

110

Trained in Norway; consistent in handicaps this year, most recently winning a Swedish event after some good runs at Meydan; not disgraced at Royal Ascot (1m2f) or Glorious Goodwood (1m) last term but is on a much stiffer mark now.

13⁽¹⁵⁾

1010-1

Jagged Edge

J: Colin Keane

T: Stephen Thorne

9-4

102

116

Acts on soft ground; Irish 4yo who landed a major handicap at the Curragh during his time with Dermot Weld; won well at Naas (good) on stable/seasonal debut, taking form figures over 1m to 3111 and strike-rate to 3-6; interesting challenger with further improvement very plausible.

22⁽²³⁾

2-1229

Blue Rc

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Tate

9-2

100

120

Below par in the Newbury contest won by Classic last time but that was out of character for him; otherwise a solid and steadily progressive colt whose form this spring includes good efforts in AW finals event and the Thirsk Hunt Cup; whether he can defy current mark is another matter.

5⁽¹¹⁾

122-33

Excellent Believe

J: Toby Moore

T: Jack Channon

9-8

106

118

Successful at Haydock in sole handicap attempt then ran well behind a notable rival in Group 3 at same venue; no further progress in three runs since but he is proving reasonably consistent and returns to handicap level with Toby Moore taking off a useful 7lb; could go well.

29⁽⁹⁾

1104-8

Scoville

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

9-0

117

Commenced his career with a novice double, looking a smart prospect; disappointing in his three races (Group/conditions) since, gelded prior to latest, but is on an attractive mark assuming another physical tweak (wind surgery) prompts a turnaround and fulfilment of the early promise.

19⁽¹³⁾

43200-

One Smack Mac

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

9-3

101

113

Formerly trained by Ger Lyons; placed a few times over 6f/7f in Listed grade but posted duck eggs at Royal Ascot 2025 and in valuable Irish handicap in his last two appearances; sold for 80,000gns since; hood fitted; enough to prove on debut for new yard.

RACING POST TIP

La Botte

Returned to Royal Ascot and back in the big-field handicap scenario that may well be optimal, LA BOTTE (nap) is taken to gain compensation for being unlucky in last year's Britannia. Today looks the time to catch the selection, with circumstances in his favour and a resumption of progress conceivable. Jagged Edge, an Irish raider who looks the type to improve further, is second pick ahead of Linwood and Archivist, two other runners who bring good 1m stats. Indalo has strong credentials, as the early betting reflects, while Scoville is interesting assuming the wind surgery works a treat. It's difficult to be conclusive as regards the draw, with results changeable on the straight course here.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

No offers to show

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2025	My Cloud [32]	4	9-1	3/1F	Roger Varian	Silvestre De Sousa
2024	Wild Tiger [20]	5	9-0	11/2J	Saeed bin Suroor	Oisin Murphy
2023	Jimi Hendrix [7]	4	9-5	22/1	Ralph Beckett	Rossa Ryan
2022	Dark Shift [15]	4	9-1	13/2	Charles Hills	James McDonald
2021	Real World [4]	4	8-6	18/1	Saeed bin Suroor	Marco Ghiani (3)
2020	Dark Vision [11]	4	9-1	15/2	Mark Johnston	William Buick
2019	Afaak [21]	5	9-3	20/1	Charles Hills	Jim Crowley
2018	Settle For Bay [22]	4	9-1	16/1	David Marnane	W J Lee
2017	Zhui Feng [26]	4	9-0	25/1	Amanda Perrett	Martin Dwyer
2016	Portage [4]	4	9-5	10/1	M Halford	James Doyle

Key race stats 2026

Key trends

Aged four or five, 10/10 (eight aged four)
Carried between 9st and 9st 5lb, 9/10
Officially rated between 96 and 103, 8/10
Won or been placed in a field of at least 13 runners, 8/10
Top-three finish at least once that season, 9/10
Ran between one and three times that campaign, 7/10
Distance winner, 6/10

Other factors

There have been only four winning favourites in the last 35 years –True Panache in 1989, Yeast in 1996, Forgotten Voice in 2009 and Wild Tiger, who was joint favourite last year.

Only three of the last ten winners were drawn in single figures, while 2022 winner Dark Shift and last year’s scorer Wild Tiger were the only ones drawn between stalls 12 and 20.

Four winners wore some form of headgear.

What happened in the Royal Hunt Cup last year?

Favourite backers rejoice as the strongly supported My Cloud proved too good for his rivals in the big mile handicap. Roger Varian’s colt was one of the most fancied handicap runners at the meeting and was sent off a 3-1 shot in the 30-runner field. The market confidence proved well placed as Silvestre de Sousa’s mount kept on best to win by three quarters of a length.

Royal Hunt Cup

17:00 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2026

What happened in the Royal Hunt Cup last year?

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