17:00 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 15 June 2022

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str)

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 1m 39.13s

(26)

Magical Morning¹²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽⁵⁾| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105| D

22/1

Smart performer who signed off for 2021 with an excellent third in the Balmoral Handicap over C&D (behind Symbolize) and resumed winning ways in 1m Doncaster handicap a fortnight ago. Yard's excellent claimer up for the first time, offsetting his penalty, and he could go well again.

Form: 0203-01

(5)

Escobar^t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 107| CD

28/1

Won the 2019 Balmoral Handicap over C&D, and having run plenty of good races last year, resumed winning ways in 7f York handicap on return in May. Respectable effort in Epsom Group 3 on Derby Day and certainly can't be left out of calculations.

Form: 2296-14

(33)

Sinjaari³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 106

14/1

2020 John Smith's Cup winner who shaped well a couple of times for his current stable last season and ran creditably again on a rare crack over 1m on his return at Newbury last month. Has another big handicap in him when everything falls right.

Form: 2/4224-3

(4)

Intellogent⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 105| D

40/1

Very talented during his peak years in France, notably winning the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville as a 3-y-o, and has shown he retains plenty of ability in 2 runs for current yard this term, not beaten far in 4-runner C&D contest 7 weeks ago. This scenario will be more his bag.

Form: 2/216-23

(14)

San Andreas⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Hugh Horgan⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| BF| D

66/1

Back to winning ways at Dundalk (1m) in March and pushed My Oberon all the way at Newcastle next time. Not so good since and this is a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 312022

(29)

Symbolize⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

9/1

Only 2 wins to his name, although plenty of good runs all the while, including in big-field Ascot handicaps (beaten only by Aldaary here final 2 starts in 2021). Promising return at Thirsk and a very interesting contender with Harry Davies up for the first time.

Form: 01722-2

(3)

Bopedro^v²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 103| D

28/1

Won the Irish Cambridgeshire in this headgear (re-fitted here) last summer and should have come on for his 2 runs back this term. A well-run big-field handicap clearly suits him and no surprise to see a return to form.

Form: 0136-50

(30)

Humanitarian^h,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: S C Williams| OR: 103| D

150/1

Smart on his day for John Gosden but presumably has had his problems and little impact for this yard this year, slipping up when held at Chester 18 days ago. Hard to fancy.

Form: 71/0-79S

(9)

Astro King⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 102| BF| D

17/2

Ran a screamer when second in this last year (no impression on winner who was on the other side of the track). Placed again in valuable York handicap later that summer and made a pleasing return at Thirsk 7 weeks ago. Must be of firm interest.

Form: 32030-9

(11)

Greatgadian²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 102| D

40/1

Much improved this year, winning a couple of small-field Chelmsford handicaps over 10f. Just as effective on turf and dangerous to leave out of the reckoning back in trip in hat-trick bid.

Form: 3158-11

(16)

Tempus³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 101| CD

28/1

C&D winner for previous yard and has made a pleasing return for new stable after a year off, no match for Modern News at Windsor last month. Shaped well on only other go in big-field contest in the 2020 Cambridgeshire and couldn't rule out.

Form: 9/16282

(22)

Bless Him^h³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 101| CD

20/1

Capitalised on the drop in grade when striking fast and late under this rider at Newcastle (7f) in March. Fair runs since and dropped 3 lb since latest effort behind Cruyff Turn at York. 2017 Britannia winner (again under Spencer) shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 635137

(24)

Aratus³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 101

22/1

Went unbeaten in three starts last season, signing off with 7f Goodwood handicap success in August. Has proven far too keen in his 2 runs this term and must settle better tackling 1m for the first time now.

Form: 1/111-39

(18)

Cruyff Turn³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| D

28/1

Won 4 times in 2021 and has progressed again this term, landing another 1m York handicap last month. This will demand another step up but he's a likeable sort clearly going the right way.

Form: 144-671

(6)

Desert Peace^t¹¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 100| BF| D

28/1

Dual Kempton winner making his first start in Britain for 2 years (won in Dubai in 2021 and 2022). Bit of an unknown quantity and interesting as the sole representative of Godolphin, who have done well in this race in recent times.

Form: 712-163

(27)

Etonian³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 100

40/1

Lightly-raced 7f winner who returned from 12 months off with a promising effort in the Spring Cup at Newbury. Stiff task in the Lockinge next time and still lightly raced, although might not be the most straightforward.

Form: 110/7-99

(12)

Isla Kai¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 100| BF| CD

33/1

Had a fine 2021, completing a hat-trick in class 3 handicaps in C&D contest. Encouraging return in the Newbury Spring Cup but not so good off this mark twice since and this is very tough.

Form: 112-404

(8)

Lunar Space^b²³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 100

125/1

Useful performer at up to 1m for Jim Bolger. Rare go in a handicap starting out for new yard after 7 months off and surprising if he's got much in hand.

Form: 860987-

(21)

Fantastic Fox¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 98| D

16/1

Successful twice at around 1m last season and right back on track following return when keeping on well for third behind Totally Charming in Epsom handicap on Oaks Day. Could take a hand.

Form: 3140-53

(25)

Excel Power¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 98| D

66/1

Got a hat-trick up at Windsor last month and not seen to best effect behind Totally Charming at Epsom since, racing closer to the pace than most that beat him. Needs another career-best to get involved here.

Form: 351-117

(23)

Notre Belle Bete³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| BF| D

40/1

Three-time winner on AW and ran well at Newmarket (9f) in April. Not so good at Newbury next time and more needed in this even tougher environment.

Form: 119136

(2)

What's The Story¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97| D

40/1

A regular in the big 1m/10f handicaps, a long time since he last won one (August 2019 at York). Fourth in this in 2018 and back on a similar mark now.

Form: 00-0447

(10)

Legend Of Dubai⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 96| D

7/2

Superbly-bred colt who could be ready for lift-off now, showing much-improved form when landing a gamble on only his second run in 18 months in 1m Newmarket handicap 7 weeks ago. Hit with an 11 lb rise but could prove up to the task.

Form: 322/1-1

(31)

Percy's Lad¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 96| BF| D

33/1

Back to best for new yard this term, scoring on return at Yarmouth and following up at Nottingham over extended 1m under this rider. Good effort in defeat at Beverley but this demands a whole lot more.

Form: 075-112

(17)

Totally Charming¹²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: G Boughey| OR: 91| D

8/1

Hasn't looked back this year, improving another chunk as he won extended 1m handicap at Epsom on Oaks Day, eased close home. Unexposed on turf and leading player under penalty with Dettori taking over.

Form: 1-12311

(15)

Dark Shift²⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: James McDonald| T: C Hills| OR: 91| CD

13/2

Back on the up with victory in extended 1m Nottingham handicap last month, readily coming clear. Cracking record here (3-5, with excuses for Victoria Cup defeat on return) and appealing claims under penalty.

Form: 4611-01

(20)

Via Serendipity⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 91| CD

50/1

Likeable type who got back to winning ways in 1m Sandown handicap under Harry Davies on Saturday, getting on top close home. Successful here in the past but plenty more required in this company under penalty.

Form: 416-841

(13)

Real Force²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: G O'Leary| OR: 95| D

50/1

Three-time winner in Ireland but held on handicap debut at the Curragh (1m) 4 weeks ago and faces another stiff task here.

Form: 1/0-5440

(28)

Hortzadar¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Mark Winn⁽⁷⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

80/1

Ended losing run at Ripon (1m) in April but held twice since and never really seen in the best light in previous visits to Ascot.

Form: 024160

Non-Runners

(19)

Rebel Territory²⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: Mrs A J Perrett J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Legend Of Dubai (7/2), Dark Shift (13/2), Totally Charming (8/1), Astro King (17/2), Symbolize (9/1), Sinjaari (14/1), Fantastic Fox (16/1), Rebel Territory (16/1), Bless Him (20/1), Aratus (22/1), Magical Morning (22/1), Tempus (28/1), Bopedro (28/1), Escobar (28/1), Cruyff Turn (28/1), Desert Peace (28/1), Isla Kai (33/1), Percy's Lad (33/1), Intellogent (40/1), Greatgadian (40/1), Notre Belle Bete (40/1), Etonian (40/1), What's The Story (40/1), Real Force (50/1), Via Serendipity (50/1), San Andreas (66/1), Excel Power (66/1), Hortzadar (80/1), Lunar Space (125/1), Humanitarian (150/1)

SYMBOLIZE signed off in 2021 with a couple of excellent efforts in big-field Ascot handicaps behind the now 124-rated Aldaary and made a pleasing comeback at Thirsk in April. He's partnered by the yard's excellent 5 lb claimer Harry Davies for the first time here and a huge run could be on the way. Last year's second Astro King looks poised to go well again, with Dark Shift, Magical Morning and Totally Charming just a handful of the other leading players.