17:00 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 17 June 2026

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

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str)

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 1m 39.24s

(4)

Holloway Boy⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 112| C| D

14/1

Successful debut in the Chesham here in 2022 and holding his form well these days, runner-up in the Balmoral in October before going one better in listed race at Kempton in December. Ran up to his best back on these shores when second in listed contest over C&D last month but this is a tall order.

Form: 1-53232

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(17)

Skukuza^v1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: C Soumillon| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 110| D

20/1

Won handicap and listed race at the Curragh last season and returned with a couple of respectable efforts, beaten 1½ lengths when mid-field in Group 3 at Saint-Cloud in March. However, below form back in Britain the last twice, including at Epsom 12 days ago. Visor reached for.

Form: 43-4566

(7)

No Retreat¹²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: George Scott| OR: 107| D

50/1

Making only fourth start for current yard, returned to winning ways in Bahrain (7f) in January and followed up in good style at the same course (1m). Ran to similar level when mid-field in listed event at Doha the following month, but has work to do in this company.

Form: 302-115

(11)

Excellent Believe³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Toby Moore⁽⁷⁾| T: J Channon| OR: 106| BF| D

33/1

Back-to-back novice winner last year and made a successful handicap debut at Haydock in August. Runner-up at Group 3/listed level on final 2 outings but hasn't matched that form so far this season, failing to come on for reappearance when third in listed race at Leopardstown in May.

Form: 6122-33

(18)

Archivist^h⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 105| D

5/1

Won twice last summer for William Haggas. Campaigned in Meydan for current trainer to start this year and has gone the right way with each of his 3 starts, in first-time hood when landing 14-runner handicap in March. Could go well under James McDonald.

Form: 113-531

(22)

Cerulean Bay³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105| D

25/1

Ended 2025 on the up, landing back-to-back Goodwood handicaps in the autumn and third in listed race at Nottingham on final outing. Has picked up where he left off in 2 starts this spring, beaten only a neck in 18-runner contest at York last month, though has career-high mark to overcome.

Form: 1103-42

(32)

Ebt's Guard³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 104| CD

20/1

Winner of the Spring Cup at Newbury on last season and took his form up a notch later in the campaign, scoring over this C&D in August and going on to finish second in the Balmoral. Excuses on return before creditable 2¾ lengths fourth of 15 to Classic at Newbury last month.

Form: 8224-04

(2)

Henlein⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 104

80/1

Smart form at best in Australia, runner-up in 1¼m Group 1 at Randwick in October 2024. Down the field in only 2 starts early last year, but after 14 months off (had a breathing operation) he wasn't disgraced on stable debut when 2¾ lengths seventh of 12 in 7f handicap at Haydock in April.

Form: 62/90-7

(28)

Thunder Run³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 103| D

25/1

Got back on the up with a strong-travelling success at York (1¼m) in May last year. Ended the season on a low-key note, but with reappearance run behind him he finished a good second in latest renewal of the same York race. Task is now to build on latest effort.

Form: 1640-72

(20)

Urban Lion⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Edward Greatrex| T: J Channon| OR: 102| D

25/1

Generally progressive in 2025 and took another step forward when digging deep for success in the Lincoln at Doncaster on return. However, shaped as if amiss when well held in Spring Cup at Newbury last time, reported to have lost a shoe.

Form: 5309-10

(15)

Jagged Edge³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Colin Keane| T: Stephen Thorne| OR: 102| D

8/1

Maiden winner on second start and also landed the Irish Cambridgeshire last summer. Well held on final outing in 2025, but making first run since leaving D. K. Weld he proved better than ever when scoring in impressive style at Naas last month. Interesting contender.

Form: 31010-1

(30)

Checkandchallenge^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: W J Knight| OR: 102| D

33/1

Hasn't got his head in front since successful in listed race at Newmarket in November 2023. Not discredited in handicaps both starts this year, 4 lengths sixth of 15 to Classic at Newbury last time, though looks vulnerable in this contest. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 3639-06

(14)

Fifth Column^p⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102| D

11/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign at 3 yrs, his 4 wins including a valuable event at York, and with reappearance run behind him proved at least as good as ever when ½-length second of 12 to Erzindjan at Newmarket (9f) last month.

Form: 5100-02

(5)

La Botte²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Mark Zahra| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 102| BF

17/2

Unlucky second in Britannia at this meeting last year. Eye-catching return when fourth in Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton but hasn't confirmed that promise since, though was switched to making the running in listed race at Goodwood (1¼m) last time. No surprise to see a bold show back over 1m here.

Form: 42-4078

(10)

Mister Winston¹²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| BF| D

16/1

Has quickly developed into a smart performer, making a successful return at Newmarket and quickly bouncing back from a lesser effort (had excuses) when overcoming interference to land 18-runner event at Epsom 12 days ago. 1 lb well-in under a penalty.

Form: 140-161

(24)

Erzindjan⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: T Kent| OR: 101| D

17/2

Shaped up well for current yard last season, including a never-nearer fourth of 23 in the Cambridgeshire when faring easily best of the stand side group. Overcame pace bias when making a winning return at Newmarket (9f) by ½ length from Fifth Column and the nature of this race should suit.

Form: 47458-1

(13)

One Smack Mac^h1²⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 101

66/1

Without a win since debut but produced best effort when runner-up in listed race at Naas last spring. However, well held both subsequent outings, in the Jersey at this meeting on first occasion. Off 9 months ahead of first run since leaving G. M. Lyons. Hood applied.

Form: 5/43200-

(6)

Godwinson³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: George Bass| T: J Channon| OR: 100| D

125/1

Made a winning return in the Lincoln last season and improved again when following up at Newcastle in June. Wasn't in the same form on final 3 starts of the campaign, though, and having left William Haggas he fared little better at York on last month's reappearance.

Form: 11500-0

(1)

Ozat¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100| D

125/1

4-time winner in France and made the frame in a Group 3 in Milan in October. However, he failed to come on for seasonal/stable debut when 6¼ lengths tenth of 18 to Mister Winston in handicap at Epsom 12 days ago, albeit racing closer to pace than ideal.

Form: 5248-00

(23)

Blue Rc³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: J Tate| OR: 100| D

28/1

3-time winner last year and added to his tally at Southwell in January. Confirmed himself a smart performer with runner-up efforts at Newcastle on Good Friday and in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, though needs to bounce back from a lesser effort in race won by Classic at Newbury last time.

Form: 22-1229

(21)

War Socks²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Egan| T: N Petersen| OR: 99| D

50/1

Ran well when sixth of 15 in the Golden Gates at this meeting last year and made the frame in a trio of handicaps at Meydan to start 2026. Returned to winning ways with a comfortable success in 7-runner event at Bro Park in May, but this is much more competitive.

Form: 71-4331

(26)

Shout³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 99| BF| CD

16/1

Smooth winner of 17-runner handicap here in September and shaped well when fourth in the Balmoral next time. Wasn't seen to best effect on first 2 outings this season before matching the pick of last year's form when third at York in May, faring best of those ridden prominently.

Form: 714-903

(19)

Classic³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 99| D

14/1

Has returned in tremendous heart, runner-up in the Spring Cup at Newbury before going one better in 15-runner contest at the same course in May, scoring by a neck from Indalo having typically travelled well. Can give another good account.

Form: 2128-21

(27)

Swing Vote^t¹⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 99| D

125/1

Smart performer at his best, recording a hat-trick at Jebel Ali in 2023/24. However, after 15-month absence he was a long way below that level in 2 starts in February, seventh of 11 in Group 3 at Meydan when last seen.

Form: 1587/67

(8)

Indalo^h³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 98| D

9/1

Gradually progressive in handicaps last year, successful at Sandown and Southwell during the summer before only narrowly denied in the Cambridgeshire, though was well drawn. Better than ever on return when neck second of 15 to Classic at Newbury last month, but will need to find more again.

Form: 41412-2

(33)

Rogue Diplomat²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 98

28/1

Ended 2025 with a handicap 4-timer over 7f and improved again on return when edged out by Urban Lion in the Lincoln at Doncaster. Ran well when fifth in the Spring Cup at Newbury, before a below-par effort in listed race at Longchamp last month. Needs to get back on the up.

Form: 111-257

(9)

Scoville^t1⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 98| DWS

12/1

Looked good prospect when winning 1m novices at Windsor and Newmarket first 2 starts. Hasn't kicked on since, too free when down the field in 7f conditions race at Thirsk on return, but he's well worth another chance on handicap debut having had a breathing operation with tongue strap back on.

Form: 1104-8

(3)

Witch Hunter³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Joe Leavy| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| C| D

80/1

Winner of Buckingham Palace Stakes here in 2023 and proved he's still capable of running to a smart level when successful at Newcastle in January. Hasn't been in the same form since, though, finishing well held at Newbury a month ago.

Form: 148900

Non-Runners

(16)

Linwood⁶⁰

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: R Hannon J: J P Spencer

(25)

Chibitty¹¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: S M Levey

Forecasts

Archivist (5/1), Jagged Edge (8/1), Erzindjan (17/2), La Botte (17/2), Indalo (9/1), Linwood (10/1), Fifth Column (11/1), Scoville (12/1), Classic (14/1), Holloway Boy (14/1), Shout (16/1), Mister Winston (16/1), Ebt's Guard (20/1), Skukuza (20/1), Cerulean Bay (25/1), Thunder Run (25/1), Urban Lion (25/1), Rogue Diplomat (28/1), Blue Rc (28/1), Checkandchallenge (33/1), Excellent Believe (33/1), No Retreat (50/1), War Socks (50/1), Chibitty (50/1), One Smack Mac (66/1), Witch Hunter (80/1), Henlein (80/1), Ozat (125/1), Swing Vote (125/1), Godwinson (125/1)

The vote goes to SCOVILLE, who created an excellent impression when winning his first 2 starts and could yet get back to that level as he goes handicapping for his leading yard. Heading the list of dangers is Erzindjan, who promises to be suited by the demands of this race, while La Botte looked unlucky not to win at this meeting last year. Others to note include Classic and Jagged Edge.