The Royal Hunt Cup is a cavalry charge handicap run over a mile. It takes place at 17:05 on Wednesday 19th June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2024. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

12⁽²⁸⁾

750-30

Bless Him

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

9-2

100

119

Suited by good/firmer; won the Britannia at this meeting in 2017; has form figures of 975 in this contest, most recently fifth last year; close third in the 2024 Victoria Cup on most recent Ascot start; retains ability but seems unlikely to break his Hunt Cup duck aged ten.

11⁽²²⁾

1188-7

Coeur d'Or

J: Chris Hayes

T: D K Weld

9-2

100

118

Irish 8yo who should be suited by the return to 1m with Curragh reappearance (6f) under his belt; bagged two notable handicaps on home soil last August; came up short off this mark over C&D (soft) in October but may fare better on this forecast faster surface.

25⁽⁴⁾

2-4507

Tempus

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Archie Watson

8-12

123

Formerly smart; ran respectably off higher marks in this race in 2022 (finished third) and 2023 (seventh); however, the 8yo needs to stage a revival in first-time blinkers, having shown regressive form this year.

15⁽¹²⁾

1062-5

Ropey Guest

J: Tom Queally

T: George Margarson

9-2

100

117

Has loads of Ascot form, most recently fifth in this year's Victoria Cup; performed well at this meeting on three occasions; however, he's frustratingly 0-21 here and remains thoroughly exposed.

28⁽²⁵⁾

-02208

Dutch Decoy

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

8-9

119

Best form this term when runner-up twice at Newmarket; finished behind some of these rivals in two starts since; ran creditably in a few major handicaps in 2022 and 2023 but is weighted to his best off current mark.

8⁽¹⁷⁾

70171-

Perotto

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Varian

9-3

101

118

Suited by good/firmer; won the Britannia at this meeting in 2021; disappointing favourite (only tenth) in this race last year and now has to overcome a lack of recent match practice, having been absent since last-gasp success in the Shergar Cup Mile here ten months ago.

7⁽²⁴⁾

30-379

Raadobarg

J: David Egan

T: George Boughey

9-5

103

121

Ideally suited by ground softer than good; placed in major Irish handicap on seasonal debut; has regressed in two subsequent starts, taking record for current stable to 0-11; others are more appealing.

2⁽¹⁶⁾

-42364

Sean

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

9-10

108

115

Acts on any going; multiple winner in Germany/Italy; mixed RPRs for new yard this year but nearly won a Group 3 at Meydan in February and the Osborne factor bodes well today; trainer won this race with a 7yo in 2014.

17⁽²⁷⁾

070-40

Blue For You

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-1

119

Respectable fourth in the Hambleton at York on reappearance and perhaps didn't take to Epsom last time; remains on last winning mark but has a bit to prove back at Ascot; well held in this race 12 months ago.

16⁽¹⁾

343-01

Aerion Power

J: Ryan Moore

T: Sir Michael Stoute

9-2

118

Respectable fourth in this contest (on good ground) 12 months ago; however, faces a stiffer task off 5lb higher this time, having incurred a penalty for recent Nottingham win (1m, good); future mark is 3lb lower.

22⁽³⁰⁾

-31385

Fantastic Fox

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

8-13

118

Tailed-off last (something seemingly amiss) in this contest two years ago; in decent form this term but finished behind some of these rivals in last two runs and is well exposed; set for another supporting role.

NR⁽¹³⁾

41-203

Silent Film

T: Ian Williams

9-0

117

Last three wins in the Middle East and Hungary; respectable third at Epsom (1m2f, good) most recently; well treated on the pick of his Ascot efforts, namely close second off 2lb higher over 7f in September 2022.

14⁽¹⁴⁾

1041-8

The Gatekeeper

J: Neil Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

9-2

100

117

Below par in the Lincoln on sole run this season; landed the Balmoral over C&D (soft; off 4lb lower) last October but was ideally positioned in terms of tactics/draw; needs to prove he can back up that form.

30⁽²¹⁾

15-210

Eldrickjones

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

8-8

120

Newcastle success took his AW record to 3-8; form dipped markedly at York five days later and his turf strike-rate remains poor; far from certain to repeat his 2021 Royal Ascot effort (second in the Coventry).

20⁽²⁰⁾

1/2411

Wild Tiger

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

9-0

123

Lightly raced 5yo whose only two defeats came at Meydan; 3-3 in British races, including a couple of clearcut wins over 7f on good ground since wearing cheekpieces, latest at Goodwood; gives the impression (backed up by pedigree) that he'll be as effective back at 1m; trainer landed this prize in 2010 and 2021; big player with further progress on the cards.

1⁽¹⁹⁾

5426-1

Sonny Liston

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

9-13

111

117

Produced a career-best performance at Newbury (1m, good) last month on seasonal debut, beating Metal Merchant and belatedly adding to his 2yo win; good second (first home on near side) in this contest last year; on a career-high mark but again looks likely to perform well.

NR⁽²⁶⁾

004-00

Imperial Fighter

T: Jamie Osborne

8-11

112

Capable of smart form early in career but has lost his way; pair of duck eggs for new yard this season, latest at Sandown four days ago; reapplication of hood (second attempt) needs to have major effect.

3⁽⁷⁾

-23124

Kingdom Come

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Clive Cox

9-9

107

118

In good form on AW this year; the ground (good to soft) possibly contributed to his below-par effort in C&D Listed race last time but he's still seeking a first win on turf; not the percentage call.

21⁽²⁾

797-59

Mirsky

J: Maxime Guyon

T: David O'Meara

8-13

119

Four wins in France; ran promisingly in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to soft) on British debut; failed to back up that effort in the Hambleton at York (good) later in May, leaving him with something to prove now.

23⁽⁸⁾

210-12

Metal Merchant

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

8-13

122

Has form on all types of ground; successful in useful classified event over C&D last October and the Spring Cup at Newbury in April; ran creditably behind Sonny Liston at Newbury last month, keeping on; may still have further improvement in him; solid claims.

9⁽²⁹⁾

1315-0

Real Gain

J: William Buick

T: Richard Hughes

9-3

101

122

Lightly raced 4yo who was impressive at Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm) last September; made late headway from rear in the Spring Cup (1m, good to soft) on sole outing this season; bought by Wathnan Racing since; appears to have been targeted at this prize and looks poised to resume his improvement; shortlisted.

10⁽¹¹⁾

120133

Talis Evolvere

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

9-2

100

117

Game win at Newcastle on AW finals day; creditable third in Newbury handicaps won by Metal Merchant and Sonny Liston since returned to turf (good/good to soft); consistent sort who has each-way possibilities.

4⁽²³⁾

/94-43

Holloway Boy

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

9-7

105

115

Soft ground may explain his below-par efforts this term; has performed well in both attempts at Royal Ascot, winning the Chesham (on debut) in 2022 and close fourth in the Jersey last year; interesting off a workable mark returned to this venue on handicap debut.

18⁽³⁾

71-740

Thunder Ball

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

9-1

118

Useful handicapper whose form includes fourth-place finishes in the 2023 Britannia over C&D and this year's Spring Cup; ran poorly last time but may rebound in reapplied blinkers, having performed well in both attempts in this headgear.

5⁽⁵⁾

305-96

Streets Of Gold

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

9-6

104

117

5-5 as a 2yo in 2022; 0-7 since but has produced his peak RPRs in two attempts at Ascot, namely third in the Jersey last year and close sixth in the Victoria Cup last month, both over 7f; gives the impression he's ready for a crack at this new trip; one to consider.

27⁽¹⁸⁾

477294

King's Code

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: David Evans

8-9

118

Did well on AW during the winter; mixed results since returned to turf; creditable second at York in May but was only fourth in lower grade at Chester last Saturday; has nothing in hand off current mark.

13⁽¹⁵⁾

7258-6

Padishakh

J: Sean Levey

T: David O'Meara

9-2

100

117

Useful form in France; comfortably held in two British races, sold for 200,000gns after the first one; may revive at some stage but has something to prove in this hot handicap on second run for new connections.

6⁽⁹⁾

1121-2

Beshtani

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-6

104

125

Three wins in France, including on good ground; sold for 340,000euros last October; went very close off this mark at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft) on debut for new connections and the winner boosted the form by following up at Sandown last Saturday; has low mileage and could well improve further; strongly respected.

24⁽¹⁰⁾

131-32

Daysofourlives

J: Luke Morris

T: Marco Botti

8-13

116

Dead-heated for first in C&D handicap (good) last September, then finished third to Metal Merchant in classified contest here; ran well, despite carrying head awkwardly, at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) most recently; now goes in a visor (replacing usual cheekpieces); steadily progressive.

29⁽³¹⁾

158-23

Regheeb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

8-8

119

Has low mileage; placed in soft-ground events over 1m at Ripon and Sandown this term; not fully exposed at this distance but the switch to forecast faster conditions presents a question mark; unraced on good/firmer.

31⁽³²⁾

510-14

Crack Shot

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Ed Walker

8-8

122

Has form figures of 12114 over 1m, below-par favourite on soft going at Sandown most recently; useful win at Newmarket (good) earlier in May and may have more to offer back on forecast faster ground.

RACING POST TIP

Beshtani

Being a lightly raced 4yo who looks the type to improve further, BESHTANI is particularly interesting. Real Gain, another Wathnan Racing representative who has similarly appealing claims, is second choice ahead of Streets Of Gold and Holloway Boy who both warrant respect with the Ascot factor in mind. Wild Tiger and Sonny Liston are obvious players, as the early betting reflects, while Metal Merchant and Talis Evolvere are solid contenders who should perform well.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
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
2015	Gm Hopkins [11]	4	9-3	8/1	John Gosden	Ryan Moore
2014	Field Of Dream [33]	7	9-1	20/1	Jamie Osborne	Adam Kirby

Key race stats 2024

Key trends

Aged four or five, 9/10 (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, 8/10 (both exceptions making reappearance)
Ran between one and three times that campaign, 7/10
Distance winner, 6/10

Other factors

There have been only three winning favourites in the last 35 years –True Panache in 1989, Yeast in 1996 and Forgotten Voice in 2009.

Only three of the last ten winners were drawn in single figures, while 2022 winner Dark Shift was the only one drawn between stalls 12 and 20.

Four winners wore some form of headgear.

What happened in the Royal Hunt Cup last year?

JIMI HENDRIX, back in trip and back on a sound surface, pulled a long way clear of those in his group (next best finished 12th overall, 9l away), looking much better than the bare form. Sonny Liston, stepped up a fair way on his reappearance form in the first-time blinkers, beating everything on his side. Awaal, back in third whose best efforts have been with plenty of give in the ground, ran well considering the going was probably quick enough for his liking. Aerion Power posting another solid effort and shapes as though he’ll be worth another try over 1m2f.

Royal Hunt Cup

17:05 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2024

What happened in the Royal Hunt Cup last year?

All Races