Royal Hunt Cup 2021 Racecard
The Royal Hunt Cup is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain, open to horses aged three years or older.
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5:00 Wed 16 Jun ROYAL HUNT CUP Distance: 8f 0y Age: 3yo + Prize: £64,800 Going: Firm
FINEST SOUND was runner-up in the Britannia over C&D at last year's Royal meeting. He's advanced his form again since, including a win last time, and might be the answer to a typically tricky Hunt Cup. Astro King is another really solid contender, while Magical Morning, Irish Admiral and Matthew Flinders are low-mileage sorts whose best days are likely still ahead of them. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS | |
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1 |
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1. BELL ROCK J: William Carver T: Andrew Balding |
5 9-10 |
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| Smart performer who took form up another notch when winning 9f Newmarket handicap on reappearance in May. Third in Epsom Group 3 since and he was a respectable sixth in this 12 months ago. | |||||
2 |
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2. HAQEEQY (IRE) J: Jim Crowley T: John & Thady Gosden |
4 9-8 |
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| Took form up another notch with smooth Lincoln win in March. Beaten favourite in C&D listed since but that was a muddling race and this return to a big-field handicap could see him in a better light. | |||||
3 |
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3. BOWERMAN J: R. P. Whelan T: Adrian McGuinness, Ireland |
7 9-7 |
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| Started his year by bagging a valuable prize in Doha but he hasn't been in the same form at listed/Group 3 level in Ireland since. Others more obvious. | |||||
4 |
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4. ESCOBAR (IRE) J: Daniel Tudhope T: David O'Meara |
7 9-7 |
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| Failed to fire in Dubai at start of year but very much back on track when third in Victoria Cup here (7f) in May. Not disgraced in Diomed at Epsom latest. Has several good efforts in handicaps here. | |||||
5 |
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5. WHAT'S THE STORY J: Joe Fanning T: Keith Dalgleish |
7 9-6 |
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| Competing in this race for the fourth time, running well for fourth in 2018 but only midfield twice since. Has recorded 2 creditable efforts in 2021 but remains 2 lb above his highest winning mark. | |||||
6 |
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6. BRUNCH J: Callum Rodriguez T: Michael Dods |
4 9-5 |
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| Had a very productive 2020 and has kicked on again this term with runner-up finishes in Lincoln (to Haqeeqy) and competitive event at York's Dante meeting. Likely to give another good account. | |||||
7 |
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7. BEAT LE BON (FR) J: Hollie Doyle T: Richard Hannon |
5 9-4 |
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| Smart 7f/1m performer who is now 1 lb lower than when winning Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood in 2019. Ran on well for second at Doncaster latest and he's an each-way contender under Hollie Doyle. | |||||
8 |
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8. MAYDANNY (IRE) J: Dane O'Neill T: Mark Johnston |
5 9-2 |
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| Back on the up in no uncertain terms when making all in 1¼m Glorious Goodwood handicap last July. Good reappearance second at Newmarket (9f) and he's of interest with the return to 1m likely to suit. | |||||
9 |
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9. GROVE FERRY (IRE) J: David Probert T: Andrew Balding |
4 9-2 |
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| Couldn't get competitive in the Lincoln but he's built up a very solid record overall, quickly bouncing back from that Doncaster effort to score at Chester last month. Raised 4 lb for that. | |||||
10 |
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10. POWER OF STATES (IRE) J: James Doyle T: Hugo Palmer |
5 9-2 |
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| Has been an improved performer on AW since last autumn, winning 5 times in this visor and tongue tie combination. Kept fresh since good fourth in Winter Derby. Needs to show he's as good on turf. | |||||
11 |
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11. ASCENSION J: David Egan T: Roger Varian |
4 9-1 |
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| Only midfield in the Lincoln on reappearance. Folded tamely behind Grove Ferry at Chester next time but got firmly back on track with a 1m Newbury win last month. 5 lb rise demands further progress. | |||||
12 |
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12. TRAIS FLUORS J: Silvestre De Sousa T: Mick Channon |
7 9-1 |
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| Snapped a losing run when stepping up on his previous efforts for this yard to see off 9 rivals at Sandown last weekend. More needed under a 4 lb penalty in this much deeper race. | |||||
13 |
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13. LUCANDER (IRE) J: Rob Hornby T: Ralph Beckett |
4 9-0 |
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| Scored at York last August and largely good efforts in defeat subsequently, including second in Cambridgeshire. Good reappearance second back at Newmarket. Likely to give his running again. | |||||
14 |
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14. MAGICAL MORNING J: Frankie Dettori T: John & Thady Gosden |
4 9-0 |
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| Dual novice winner last June who wrapped up his 3-y-o campaign with a good second to Matthew Flinders at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) in September. One of the least exposed in the line-up. | |||||
15 |
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15. MATTHEW FLINDERS J: Oisin Murphy T: Ed Walker |
4 9-0 |
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| Progressed well in first season, including beating Magical Morning to win at Doncaster in September. Excellent third in Newbury Spring Cup on return and couple of possible excuses at York since. | |||||
16 |
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16. FINEST SOUND (IRE) J: Andrea Atzeni T: Simon & Ed Crisford |
4 9-0 |
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| Runner-up in Britannia at this meeting last year and has progressed again since, narrowly denied by Astro King at Nottingham before scoring at Haydock. Potential for better still. Major player. | |||||
17 |
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17. EASTERN WORLD (IRE) J: William Buick T: Charlie Appleby |
4 9-0 |
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| Improved to score at Meydan in February and perhaps did a bit too much in front when disappointing favourite in Lincoln. Better than he could show (not clear run) when fourth at Newmarket (7f) since. | |||||
18 |
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18. FAME AND ACCLAIM (IRE) J: Lewis Edmunds T: Les Eyre |
4 9-0 |
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| Ended his time with Joseph O'Brien with a couple of runner-up efforts in big-field handicaps at the Curragh this spring. Should be competitive if showing up in similar form on first run for Les Eyre. | |||||
19 |
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19. ASTRO KING (IRE) J: Ryan Moore T: Sir Michael Stoute |
4 8-13 |
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| Made it 3 wins in 5 starts when digging deep to fend off Finest Sound on Nottingham reappearance. Good third in Thirsk Hunt Cup since, keeping on from further back than ideal. One for the shortlist. | |||||
20 |
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20. BUGLE MAJOR (USA) J: Pat Dobbs T: Richard Hughes |
6 8-13 |
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| Useful and consistent sort in France for Pascal Bary but well-beaten fifth of 6 on his Newmarket stable debut 25 days ago and will need to leave that well behind. | |||||
21 |
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21. CLIFFS OF CAPRI J: Dougie Costello T: Jamie Osborne |
7 8-12 |
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| Reached frame in Buckingham Palace and International here last summer. Made a creditable return to action when fourth over C&D in April and yard had a few run well in this before. | |||||
22 |
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22. LAYFAYETTE (IRE) J: C. T. Keane T: Noel Meade, Ireland |
4 8-11 |
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| Improved again with cheekpieces on when making a successful reappearance at the Curragh in March. Good fourth (Fame and Acclaim second) back there since. | |||||
23 |
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23. IRISH ADMIRAL (IRE) J: Tom Marquand T: William Haggas |
4 8-11 |
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| Low-mileage 4-y-o who doubled career tally on AW yard debut in April and ran well when third in 1¼m York handicap next time. Perhaps unsuited by soft when beaten favourite since. Retains potential. | |||||
24 |
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24. HORTZADAR J: Jamie Spencer T: David O'Meara |
6 8-11 |
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| Returned better than ever when third of 18 in Lincoln in March. Underperformed in Thirsk Hunt Cup on penultimate start but back on track with Epsom second (8.5f, soft) 12 days ago. | |||||
25 |
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25. OUZO J: Sean Levey T: Richard Hannon |
5 8-11 |
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| Reappeared with respectable seventh of 18 in Lincoln in March but not in the same form at York since. Others are much more obvious. | |||||
26 |
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26. TESTON (FR) J: Jason Hart T: Ivan Furtado |
6 8-10 |
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| Started out for this yard in really good form last summer but he's failed to hit the same heights since, beaten a long way at Newmarket last month. Not hard to look elsewhere. | |||||
27 |
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27. REVICH (IRE) J: Hayley Turner T: Richard Spencer |
5 8-10 |
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| Back-to-back Chester winner last August. Good fourth in Newbury Spring Cup in April but ran no more than respectably from a plum draw when fourth to Grove Ferry back at Chester since. Blinkers on. | |||||
28 |
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28. REAL WORLD (IRE) J: Marco Ghiani T: Saeed bin Suroor |
4 8-9 |
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| Looked good when easily making winning debut at Chelmsford last autumn. Useful form in defeat at up to 1¼m on dirt at Meydan since. Now drops in trip for turf debut with cheekpieces replacing visor. | |||||
29 |
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29. FANTASY BELIEVER (IRE) J: Kieran Shoemark T: Charles Hills |
4 8-8 |
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| All 3 wins over 1m on Kempton's polytrack. Windsor second in May shows he's just as effective on the grass but he's failed to reproduce that twice since. | |||||
30 |
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30. PEPPERONI PETE (IRE) J: Shane Foley T: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland |
5 8-8 |
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| Pair of wins over 1m in the mud in Ireland this spring but mark shot up as a result and he was behind a couple of these at the Curragh last time. Others are preferred. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 8/1 8 FINEST SOUND, 10/1 10 HAQEEQY, 14/1 14 ASTRO KING, 14/1 14 IRISH ADMIRAL, 18/1 18 MAGICAL MORNING, 18/1 18 BRUNCH, 20/1 20 MATTHEW FLINDERS, 22/1 22 GROVE FERRY, 22/1 22 LUCANDER, 22/1 22 EASTERN WORLD, 25/1 25 LAYFAYETTE, 28/1 28 MAYDANNY, 28/1 28 BELL ROCK, 28/1 28 FAME AND ACCLAIM, 33/1 33 BEAT LE BON, 33/1 33 ASCENSION, 40/1 40 REVICH, 50/1 50 ESCOBAR, 50/1 50 WHAT's THE STORY, 50/1 50 TRAIS FLUORS, 50/1 50 CLIFFS OF CAPRI, 50/1 50 BOWERMAN, 50/1 50 OUZO, 50/1 50 BUGLE MAJOR, 50/1 50 REAL WORLD, 66/1 66 HORTZADAR, 66/1 66 PEPPERONI PETE, 66/1 66 POWER OF STATES, 100/1 100 TESTON, 100/1 100 FANTASY BELIEVER, 497/1 497 PATH OF THUNDER, 498/1 498 VARIYANN, 499/1 499 REPERTOIRE |
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This flat handicap race is open to three year olds and above and has featured on the Royal Ascot card since 1843. It is run on a straight course over a distance on 1 mile.
The winning owner can permanently keep the trophy, making it along with the Gold Cup and the Queen’s Vase one of three perpetual races at the Royal Ascot Festival.
Lester Piggott and Charles Wood hold the record for most jockey wins with four each whilst James Jewitt has trained five winning horses (1882, 1883, 1888, 1892 and 1897) making him the most successful trainer.
Royal Hunt Cup 2021 FAQs
What distance is the Royal Hunt Cup?
1 mile
What day of the Royal Ascot meeting is it on?
Wednesday
What time is the Royal Hunt Cup?
17:00
What weights are carried in the Royal Hunt Cup?
It is a handicap race, with weights ranging from 9 st 10 lb to 8 st
What is the purse for the Royal Hunt Cup?
£75,000 (2020)
Who is the leading jockey in the Royal Hunt Cup*?
Charles Wood (4) & Lester Piggott (4)
Who is the leading trainer in the Royal Hunt Cup*?
James Jewitt, with five wins
Who won the Royal Hunt Cup?
You can check out our Royal Hunt Cup results page here to see a List of previous winners.
