The Royal Hunt Cup is a cavalry charge handicap run over a mile. It takes place at 17:00 on Wednesday 18th June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2025. 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

22⁽¹⁾

0-6226

Bopedro

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-2

115

Finished eighth in this event in 2022; couple of second-place finishes at Newmarket this term show that he retains plenty of ability aged nine; however, he's on a 21-race losing sequence and can be opposed.

13⁽¹⁸⁾

000-33

La Trinidad

J: Rowan Scott

T: Roger Fell

9-4

114

Creditable third in notable 1m handicaps at Thirsk and York this season but may struggle to be placed, let alone succeed, in this hotter prize; well exposed 8yo who has nothing in hand off current mark.

15⁽²⁸⁾

383454

Popmaster

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

9-3

115

Has plenty of Ascot form, mostly over 6f/7f, including close second in the 2022 Wokingham and fourth in the 2025 Victoria Cup; stays 1m, at least on AW, but is 0-7 at the trip and not the percentage call.

10⁽²³⁾

024005

Sean

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

9-7

101

114

Record of 0-17 for current yard doesn't tell the whole story, as he's capable of very useful form; last few efforts don't augur well, however, and he came up short (finished 11th) in this race in 2024.

26⁽¹⁵⁾

436-07

Toimy Son

J: Callum Shepherd

T: David Menuisier

9-1

115

Performed well in major handicaps at Glorious Goodwood (won) and Newmarket (placed) last term; however, needs to step up plenty on his 2025 efforts, latest over C&D behind My Cloud.

6⁽²⁰⁾

74-709

Ancient Rome

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charles Hills

9-8

102

119

Defied a 3lb higher mark at Glorious Goodwood in 2023 and has won Group/Grade 3 races; far from solid on 2025 form, most recently always behind in the Newbury handicap won by My Cloud.

4⁽⁴⁾

-01426

Jeff Koons

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-9

103

111

Has scored twice in Qatar for current connections but came up short in Listed grade returned to British soil last time; judged on all form, he appears to be on a difficult mark.

24⁽²⁷⁾

11117-

Whitcombe Rockstar

J: Josephine Gordon

T: Keiran Burke

9-2

115

Very productive last year, winning six times, mostly on Kempton AW; however, faces a tough assignment returned to this sphere on reappearance, being 12lb higher than last turf start (Class 4 win).

9⁽¹⁹⁾

300-50

Galeron

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

9-7

101

115

Placed several times during his spell in Australia and ran creditably (2l fifth) in the Lincoln on return to Britain, prior to a lesser effort over 1m1f; useful but hasn't won since his 2yo days.

18⁽⁵⁾

01-834

Talis Evolvere

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

9-3

114

Has done most of his winning on AW; ties in with My Cloud on C&D form in April but is far more exposed than that rival and came up well short (off 3lb higher) in this race last year.

8⁽²⁹⁾

8/56-5

Epictetus

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

9-7

101

116

Soft-ground Group 3 winner in 2023 for the Gosdens before losing his form; showed some promise (fifth to My Cloud) at Newbury on handicap/seasonal debut but needs to build on that effort.

2⁽⁶⁾

5077-2

Hi Royal

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Kevin Ryan

9-10

104

115

Classic placed in 2023; far from consistent since but ran encouragingly (close second) in the Thirsk Hunt Cup on handicap/seasonal debut; just no certainty to back up that effort.

20⁽¹⁴⁾

348-01

Silawi

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-3

114

Formerly trained in France/Qatar; won comfortably from the front at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) on British debut; 2lb well in under a penalty but this is a much deeper contest and the drop to 1m is an unknown.

12⁽¹²⁾

335-22

Tony Montana

J: David Egan

T: Michael Bell

9-5

113

Useful 1m2f handicapper, good second at Goodwood and York this term; now goes in headgear; showed clear promise behind subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking in sole 1m attempt (debut) and he's by a top miler, so looks very interesting belatedly returned to this distance.

25⁽³⁰⁾

/67-84

Greek Order

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Michael Bell

9-1

112

Ex-Juddmonte runner who failed to make much of a splash during his spell in USA; sold for $110,000 since last run; progressive for the Charlton yard previously and ran well (close second) off this mark in the 2023 Cambridgeshire; Christophe Soumillon is booked; one to note.

14⁽³¹⁾

1/51-4

The Liffey

J: Ryan Moore

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-4

119

Record of 2-3 for Aidan O'Brien featured a comfortable win in sole 1m attempt (good); gelded prior to promising reappearance effort in Naas Listed event (7f); now goes in tongue-tie and cheekpieces; still open to further improvement and is one for the shortlist.

16⁽¹⁰⁾

8-1034

Ebt's Guard

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

9-3

113

Successful in C&D classified event (soft) last autumn and the Spring Cup at Newbury (good) on reappearance; ties in with My Cloud on Newbury running last month (two starts ago); could go well.

7⁽⁹⁾

-42414

Soldier's Empire

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

9-7

101

113

Ex-Irish; generally consistent over longer trips in Bahrain for current connections, winning once; however, seems to have a stiff task in this field and is a similar type to Jeff Koons.

5⁽²¹⁾

5122-2

Qirat

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

9-8

102

117

Consistent; went down by only a whisker in the Victoria Cup here (7f, good to firm) most recently; he's 0-3 over 1m but ran creditably (sixth) in last year's Britannia; likely player if taking to first-time headgear.

23⁽¹¹⁾

4174-1

Fox Legacy

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

116

1m2f winner for Sir Michael Stoute and landed a notable 1m1f handicap at Newmarket (good) on stable/seasonal debut; may improve further and has possibilities if coping with another drop back in distance.

28⁽¹³⁾

7140-2

Sisyphean

J: Clifford Lee

T: Kevin Ryan

9-0

115

Front-runnner; has shown useful form at York in last two attempts over 1m, winning easily last July (good to soft) and close second on reappearance (good to firm); could well have more to offer at this trip.

17⁽¹⁶⁾

035144

Magnum Opus

J: Liam Wright

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-3

112

Successful in Meydan handicap (good) during his spell in UAE and ran creditably (close fourth) in the Lincoln on last appearance; quite exposed, however, and current mark leaves him in a tough spot.

30⁽³³⁾

4-4092

Whip Cracker

J: David Probert

T: Richard Hughes

9-0

117

Useful but record is only 1-11; ran respectably in first-time cheekpieces at Sandown (1m) most recently, finishing second; going one better will require progress in the retained headgear.

21⁽³⁾

54-121

Urban Lion

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

9-3

117

Second to Ebt's Guard in the Spring Cup, then won by 2l in small field at Sandown (1m, good to firm) last Saturday; incurs 5lb penalty; an improving sort but turning out quickly could backfire (seems best fresh).

3⁽²⁴⁾

437-74

Wahdan

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-9

103

112

Handicap debutant who isn't particularly solid as his best efforts (Group/Listed, in France and for new stable) may not be reliable form; best watched unless the market signals suggest otherwise.

27⁽³²⁾

221-11

My Cloud

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

9-1

119

Form figures read 22111 (started favourite each time; 3-3 over 1m); proved well ahead of his opening mark at Ascot in April then followed up at Newbury (again on good to firm) where he collared the pacesetter close home; very progressive and commands respect.

11⁽²²⁾

1125-6

Blue Brother

J: James McDonald

T: A De Mieulle

9-6

100

114

French form last year included a handicap success on Arc weekend (1m, soft); midfield in Saudi handicap in sole start for new (Qatari) yard; the betting may prove best guide in this first British run.

29⁽²⁶⁾

1813-1

Tokenomics

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

9-0

113

Overcame traffic issues at Cork (7f, good) on seasonal debut, making it four wins from his last six outings; stays 1m1f; Irish trainer landed this prize with a similarly progressive type in 2018; shortlisted.

19⁽²⁾

4411-1

Bullet Point

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

9-3

118

Has form figures of 4111 since handicapping, the wins over 1m on AW/soft/good; well on top at Newmarket in sole run this season; shooting up the weights but that reflects his major progress; strong contender.

1⁽²⁵⁾

11-313

Arabian Light

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-12

106

116

Has progressive 1m/1m1f form; won at Meydan in February then ran well off top weight in notable handicap at Newmarket (again on good ground) in May, taking record to 211313; solid contender.

RACING POST TIP

Tony Montana

Highly progressive My Cloud has Royal Hunt Cup written all over him and certainly commands major respect, as the early betting reflects. However, TONY MONTANA looks a particularly interesting alternative with his sole 1m attempt being a very notable piece of form and the belated return to this trip well worth exploring. The selection's new stablemate Greek Order (second choice) returns to British racing off a workable mark and could resume his progress, while The Liffey is still unexposed, Bullet Point is still improving and Tokenomics has good credentials.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
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
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 2025

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?

WILD TIGER justified joint favouritism in a tight finish to this mile handicap on the straight course. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained arrived with an appealing, lightly raced profile and was bidding for a hat-trick after handicap wins at Yarmouth and Goodwood. Oisin Murphy rode the Godolphin five-year-old, who was sent off the 11-2 joint favourite, and he repelled all challengers from the front to score by a head from Sonny Liston. The first three were drawn in stalls 20,19 and 17 in the 29-runner field, while only one of the first 11 home came from a single-figure draw.

Royal Hunt Cup

17:00 Royal Ascot