Trainer quotes and draw analysis for a red-hot Royal Hunt Cup

Wednesday: 5.00 Royal Ascot
Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

It is illustrative, albeit not especially informative, to know the record of four-year-olds in the Royal Hunt Cup. They have won six of the last seven runnings, 12 of the 22 this century, and provided three of the first four finishers in each of the last two years.

Had you backed four-year-olds blind in 2020, you would have covered more than half (12/23) of the field. Last year it was exactly half (15/30). This year would be only a little less expensive – 13 four-year-olds out of 30.

The general point made by age bias in the race is easy enough to infer, as it is for nearly all age-based trends. You want less exposed horses and four-year-olds, being the youngest who can realistically get a run in the Hunt Cup these days, tend to offer that.

The other major factor to consider is the draw. The Hunt Cup is the race that really sets the tone for the week and last year the perceived near-side (high stalls) bias was upended by Real World blasting home from stall four.

There are some parallels between Real World, who was making his turf debut, and Desert Peace whose only turf run came in the States. He is the pace angle on the far side and his presence could be enough to create a viable far-side group. That would be the best bet for Astro King in nine. He was caught on the 'wrong' side (stall 27) when second to Real World 12 months ago.

It is not hard to see two or even three groups in this year's Hunt Cup. The received wisdom (backed up by stats) is that hold-up horses do best on Ascot's straight mile and there look to be relatively few front-runners in this field. There are pockets on the far side, a couple in the middle and a smattering in the high stalls, with some big gaps in between.

Magical Morning (26) and Symbolize (29) are the market principals who might have got the best positions. They are close to Excel Power (25) and Percy's Lad (31), the most likely leaders among those drawn high. Isla Kai (12) and Tempus (16) look the best hopes for Legend Of Dubai (10) and Dark Shift (15), so much could depend on whether their riders choose to make their own way up the centre or opt to merge with one of the other groups.

With the draw tricky to master and each-way terms on big handicaps so generous these days, each-way betting makes a lot of sense. It would be extremely rare for a horse to 'win' their side and not collect on a bet offering seven or eight places.

Ask for a selection from this writer and you may end up with a list as long as if you had just backed all the four-year-olds. The general advice would be to err towards the wings, do not ignore low numbers and side with unexposed improvers over those with loads of previous form in big handicaps. Save the latter group for your Placepot perm.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'There could be a little more to come'

Charlie Fellowes enjoyed some of his finest moments as a trainer on Ascot's straight course and he is back with a horse who has been there and done it too.

Fellowes has won the Sandringham twice and Silver Wokingham and will bid to add the Royal Hunt Cup to his tally with Via Serendipity, who won just four days ago at Sandown and has scored twice on Ascot's straight mile.

Via Serendipity: winner four days ago at SandownCredit: Mark Cranham

The trainer operates at a +89.50 profit to a £1 stake at the course and said: "It's been a very, very lucky place for me so hopefully there will be more of the same this week!

"Via Serendipity is a lovely old horse, he's an eight-year-old now and it was a fantastic performance to win at Sandown. He's actually rated higher on the all-weather but not for one minute do I think he's a better horse on that surface, so there could be a little more to come.

"It's a big ask after running just four days ago but he's come out of the race really well and he'll love conditions. The big field and fast ground will be perfect and are important to him."

What they say

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Magical Morning
He won readily at Doncaster last time on similar ground and came out of that in good shape, so we're rolling the dice again. It's competitive as you would expect and he has top weight but we're claiming off him.

David O'Meara, trainer of Escobar and Hortzadar
Escobar loves Ascot and had a good first start at York this year, winning nicely. Hortzadar's mark is probably high enough at the moment but we're claiming off him and he's a good, honest horse who always runs his race.

Harry Charlton, joint-trainer of Sinjaari
When the ground is quick I think a high draw is preferable, so I couldn't complain and he needs to find trouble. It's a bold statement but I think he'll be the last horse off the bridle and then we'll just have to see. He travelled so well at Newbury back to a mile, he can con his riders into going too soon. We think he'll run a good race.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of San Andreas
He's a very solid horse and I think he'll run a good race, but he's not very well handicapped. He's in good nick, though, and he will like the stiff mile on quick ground.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Bopedro
He's unpredictable and I've absolutely no idea what to expect. He's in great order and we're drawn close to a rail which will be a help but I honestly don't know what he's going to do.

Roger Varian, trainer of Greatgadian, Fantastic Fox and Legend Of Dubai
Greatgadian's last two wins were in slowly run races and he showed a lot of speed to win both times. It won't be an inconvenience dropping him back to a stiff mile and the pace of the race will suit him. Fantastic Fox was a touch unlucky at Epsom to have not finished closer. He might be a better horse with cut in the ground but he's drawn well. We've waited for this race with Legend Of Dubai since his win at Newmarket. He should like the ground and time will tell if his draw is favourable, but he's weighted to run a good race.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Desert Peace
It's one of the hardest handicaps to win. He's been out in Dubai and has been switched from turf to dirt. Coming back to a mile is something we've always been keen on doing. His work on the turf has pleased us and he won't look out of place.

George Boughey, trainer of Totally Charming
He's in great shape, he seems to have come out of his win in good form and I think a big-field handicap should suit him. He's drawn nicely around some of the fancied horses and there are few better men than Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Dark Shift
I'm very happy with him. James McDonald is going to ride and he came and sat on him this morning. We're drawn in the middle, so we'll have a choice of which side to go and he's got good form over the course and distance. James and I go back a long way and he's a brilliant jockey, so I was delighted to get him.

Ger O'Leary, trainer of Real Force
He travelled over on Monday and he's been eating and drinking since he arrived. He's in great form. Colin Keane takes the ride and he'll be patient on him.
Reporting by Maddy Playle

Read more of Wednesday's Royal Ascot previews:

2.30 Royal Ascot: Karl Burke: I really do think she has the potential to be a special filly

3.05 Royal Ascot: Can Nahanni recover from Derby horror show to give Appleby back-to-back wins?

3.40 Royal Ascot: Sir Michael Stoute has eyes on the prize as Bay Bridge faces toughest test yet

4.20 Royal Ascot: Will Mother Earth's course form prove decisive or is that too simple?

5.35 Royal Ascot: Are we dealing with a potential 'good thing' in the shape of Little Big Bear?

6.10 Royal Ascot: Could Royal Ascot's newest race break the rule for races over a mile?

Sign up here. Minimum deposit requirement. Free bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.