Royal Hunt Cup Runner-By-Runner Guide | Royal Hunt Cup Royal Ascot 2020 Runners, Odds & Predictions

1 - ALRAJAA (13) John Gosden/Jim Crowley

Winner of 7f Chepstow novice and 3 all-weather handicaps (all at 1m) in latter stages of last season. Remains with potential given his low-mileage and has to be feared, despite burden of top-weight.

Four-timer landed! A decisive performance from Alrajaa who bolts up at @LingfieldPark under @JimCrowley1978... pic.twitter.com/jlubk4SLys

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 16, 2019

2 - RAISING SAND (3) Jamie Osborne/Nicola Currie

Fine third in this race last year prior to landing a big pot back here a month later (fourth course win). Yet to strike off a mark this high but will come right into the equation if the ground eases.

A thrilling battle between two female riders at the top of their game! Raising Sand and @NicolaCurrie22 beat Kaeso and @HollieDoyle1 in the £150,000 Moet & Chandon International Stakes at @Ascot!

Congrats @osbornejamie, @NBradleyRacing and part-owner @HughRacing! pic.twitter.com/2P8Ww7NiSk

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2019

3 - WHAT'S THE STORY (16) Keith Dalgleish/Callum Rodriguez

Progressive in 2019, enjoying finest hour to date when landing a big pot at York's Ebor meeting. However, he was down the field in this race 12 months ago and is 8 lb higher this time round.

Great finish! 🏇🏇

What's The Story just denies Vale Of Kent in a tremendous tussle on the Knavesmire to win the Clipper Logistics Handicap at @yorkracecourse 💪 #ClassicEbor pic.twitter.com/ObYgpOLUZ0

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 22, 2019

4 - VALE OF KENT (12) Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning

Tough front runner who's gone close a couple of times since Bunbury Cup success at Newmarket last summer. Third in listed company on recent reappearance and he's not without each-way hope.

5 - CARDSHARP (1) Mark Johnston/Adam Kirby

Paid his way with victories in good 7f handicaps at Lingfield and York last term. However, his recent reappearance was low-key and record on this course and over a mile do not augur well.

A quick fire accross the card double for @Johnston_Racing, as Cardsharp strikes in the @WilliamHill Extra Place Races Everyday Handicap in the hands of Jason Hart 🙌@WillHillRacing pic.twitter.com/xWuQpZHuBg

— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 25, 2019

6 - LORD TENNYSON (14) John Gosden/Frankie Dettori

Clear-cut winner at Chelmsford on belated debut in February and found just one too good in Newmarket listed event recently. This is a big ask for one so inexperienced but he's clearly very promising.

7 - FOX CHAMPION (17) Richard Hannon/Sean Levey

Posted several respectable efforts in Group 1 company following German 2000 Guineas success last year. Failed to beat a rival home on recent reappearance at Haydock, though, and others preferred.

8 - QAYSAR (22) Richard Hannon/Ryan Moore

Hit a real purple patch in August/September, winning 4 times at up to 1m. Close third on return at Newmarket (7f) and, with this step back up in trip a good move, he has to enter calculations.

9 - INDEED (8) Dominic Ffrench Davis/Liam Keniry

French import who won a couple of quality handicaps for new yard last summer. Held his own in Group 3/listed company on final 2 starts of 2019 but this mark may prove beyond him.

10 - KYNREN (15) David Barron/Ben Curtis

Often thereabouts in big handicaps (fifth in this last year) and deservedly bagged one here (7f) in September. Should be spot-on following recent Haydock run but this mark demands a clear career-best.

It’s his day today! Kynren records his first win since September 2017, taking the bet365 Challenge Cup at @Ascot under Ben Curtis for David Barron… pic.twitter.com/TyDdx4sC7o

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 5, 2019

11 - AFAAK (18) Charles Hills/Cieren Fallon

Runner-up in 2018 renewal of this and went one better last year when making his seasonal reappearance. However, 3 lb higher this time round and Jim Crowley prefers Alrajaa.

What a race! Afaak gets the verdict over Clon Coulis in a desperate photo-finish in the Royal Hunt Cup! @Ascot #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/PmnrYRTtbJ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2019

12 - POGO (23) Charlie Hills/Kieran Shoemark

Bagged handicaps at Newmarket and York last season. Strong at the finish when runner-up back on the Rowley Mile 11 days ago (Qaysar third) and it wouldn't be a surprise were he to sneak a place.

13 - WILLIE JOHN (4) Roger Varian/Andrea Atzeni

Lightly-race type who improved when runner-up in 1¼m Goodwood listed event last May. Disappointing both subsequent starts in 2019 but resumes on a potentially handy mark and by no means ruled out.

14 - BELL ROCK (10) Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy

Failed to make an impact in listed/Group company last year but back on track when getting on top close home in 1m Newmarket handicap 10 days ago. Remains unexposed and big player here under a penalty.

What a finish - and a hat-trick for @oismurphy!

Bell Rock (Kingman) kept very good company last year and lands the spoils on handicap debut for @AndrewBalding2 at @NewmarketRace

Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/Rv2h8IxQsa

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 7, 2020

15 - WARGRAVE (21) George Baker/Pat Cosgrave

Maiden winner in Ireland last year and successful start for this yard in a Group 2 on the snow at Saint Moritz (9.9f) in February. However, much more on his plate here.

16 - DARK VISION (11) Mark Johnston/William Buick

Winless since landing a Group 2 as a juvenile but posted several respectable efforts last season. Went close on recent reappearance at Newcastle (1m) and he's very much one for the shortlist.

17 - JAHBATH (6) William Haggas/Tom Marquand

Looked promising initially, winning 4 of his first 5 starts, but absent since finishing down the field in a Group 2 at Meydan last March (gelded since). Percentage call is to look elsewhere.

18 - FOX POWER (7) Richard Hannon/Pat Dobbs

Looked good when landing 1m listed race at Newcastle last spring. However, failed to build on that in 4 starts since returning from an 8-month absence in December and others look stronger.

19 - BEATBOXER (2) John Gosden/James Doyle

Improved when landing valuable 8.2f Haydock handicap in first-time hood/tongue tie last May. Well held both starts since, though, and wellbeing to prove back from a 10-month layoff. Gelded.

20 - PETRUS (20) Brian Meehan/Martin Dwyer

Raised his game when bagging competitive handicaps on first 2 starts last year. However, well held in this race 12 months ago and also ended 2019 campaign on a low-key note.

21 - BALTIC BARON (19) David O'Meara/Daniel Tudhope

Just the one victory to his name, namely a French maiden for Andre Fabre in April 2018. Only seventh in Newmarket handicap won by Bell Rock on recent reappearance and now tried in cheekpieces.

22 - MONTATHAM (5) Willian Haggas/Dane O'Neill

Dual winner of novice events last year and took form to a new level when landing a 1m Newmarket handicap in good style on return 11 days ago. Up 8 lb but he's lightly-raced and remains with potential.

Easy!

Montatham (5-2F) looks set for bigger things after a cosy success for Jim Crowley and William Haggas at @NewmarketRace

Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/Awu7sF9UwV

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 6, 2020

23 - WALHAAN (9) Ian Williams/Richard Kingscote

Fairly useful performer in France but faces a very tough assignment on this handicap/stable debut following 15 months off.

24 - FOX PREMIER (24) Andrew Balding/Silvestre De Sousa

Well held upped to 1½m at this meeting last year but otherwise progressive in 2019, second in strong Glorious Goodwood handicap (9.9f) when last seen in August. Each-way chance if fully tuned-up.

Timeform Analyst's Verdict

This is one of the very few big handicaps that Mark Johnston has yet to win but DARK VISION is taken to put that right. He pulled clear of a subsequent winner when going close at Newcastle recently and remains on an attractive mark.

Unexposed trio Montatham, Bell Rock and Lord Tennyson are all feared greatly, while Alrajaa ended 2019 on the up and is also shortlisted, along with Fox Premier.

Runner-By-Runner Guide: Royal Hunt Cup