The Royal Hunt Cup is a straight 1m blast down the straight at Ascot. This is the Heritage Handicap Class 2 fixture and it boasts another big field of 24.
Last year’s winner Afaak is back for another crack at the race having scored from a big 20/1 mark twelve months ago.
Since 2010 there has been just one winner of the Royal Hunt Cup who has come home with a single figures SP, which was Gm Hopkins in 2015.
None of the last three have been under 16/1 SP prices to get their win.
It is potentially a race for the outsiders and that makes it a fascinating contest on Wednesday’s Royal Ascot card.
Ascot Royal Hunt Cup Odds
Lord Tennyson 11/2
Bell Rock 7/1
Montatham 8/1
Al Rajaa 8/1
Afaak 14/1
Dark Vision 14/1
Fox Premier 11/1
Kynren 12/1
Qaysar 14/1
Raising Sand 14/1
Willie John 16/1
Indeed 16/1
Vale Of Kent 20/1
Pogo 25/1
Beatboxer 25/1
Fox Champion 33/1
Baltic Baron 33/1
Fox Power 33/1
Petrus 33/1
What’s The Story 25/1
Walhaan 40/1
Wargrave 50/1
Cardsharp 50/1
*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020)
Horse Racing Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Unexposed Lord Tennyson looks for a big score
LORD TENNYSON made his debut only in February this year. He breezed to a win in that at Chelmsford. His one run since then was among listed companies at Newmarket where he was beaten into second place by just over four lengths in early June.
Trained by John Gosden, this is going to be a massive ask for Lord Tennyson who doesn’t have that much appeal in the market at 11/2 realistically*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020).
BELL ROCK
BELL ROCK found a new step in form when he took a 1m contest at Newmarket under handicap terms 10 days ago. In that fixture, he beat out Ouzo by a neck, who is the current favourite for the Wednesday’s opening race of Royal Ascot 2020, the Silver Hunt Cup.
That was Bell Rock’s first appearance after his gelding operation.
Bell Rock is unexposed as well, but not so much as the favourite is. He was thrown into Group 1 company last season at Ascot when he finished near the back of the field.
But that is two wins in five runs. He has a lot to offer but again you wonder if the 7/1 is enough to bite on given the history of winners in this race*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020).
WILLIE JOHN
Injuries really set WILLIE JOHN back a bit, but he looks sharp enough to make a run at this. He is lightly raced and has only had one trip since last summer, which saw him take 5th of 6th at Doncaster in September.
He is a better horse than what he has delivered so far for one reason or another and with him coming in on a fairly nice mark, there’s a chance he could put something together from out at 16/1*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020).
DARK VISION
Based on his recent efforts at Newcastle on a 1m trip, DARK VISION, trained by Mark Johnson Could have a big hand in his race. He was respectable more than outstanding for the best part of last year.
But that positive return to action saw the best come out of him and has a chance of pushing on even further. Dark Vision is one to keep onside from 14/1*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020)
MONTATHAM
Another of the relatively unexpected crew heading to these balls in this race is MONTATHAM. He got a great win 11 days ago in a 1m contest in a Newmarket handicap. Montatham won a couple of novice events in 2019 and is clearly heading in the right direction.
He’s a threat with the weight on his side. He goes up 8lb for his recent success at Newmarket and that’s going to be a lot to handle. Still, he piques interest at 8/1*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020).
Other Contenders
FOX CHAMPION had plenty of Class 1 action under his belt last season. He was in the St James’s Palace Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot and didn’t show well. How will he fare under handicap terms as he heads back to the course?
Lining up at top weight is ALRAJAA who has some blistering form behind him. He has low mileage on his side and has won his last four starts, each of the last three handicap all-weather action.
AFAAK knows this race like the back of his hand. He was second on his first attempt in 2018 and then scored the win last season. Does he have enough to repeat? He is 3lb higher than he was 12 months ago and hasn’t been seen since November.
Predictions & Tips
There are threats from the unexposed contenders who are the head of the market. We are talking about LORD TENNYSON, BELL ROCK and MONTATHAM.
Of those, we would pick BELL ROCK as the one to roll with after a very good performance in a recent Newmarket handicap. The Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combo could be deadly there.
We have to keep DARK VISION on side for this trip as well. Like the former, he had a good run on his return to action and can push on from that.
The other pick that we will lend towards is ALRAJAA despite having to deal with top weight. There’s superb form there and has some appeal to defy that at 8/1*(betting odds taken from Betfair at 23:12 GMT on Tuesday, 16th June 2020)
Betfair Free Bet Streak
On the Betfair Exchange Only, bet £20 on the ‘Win’ market of the 13.50 at Ascot, Tue 16th June. In return get £20 Free Bet to start a Free Bet Streak.
Place your Free Bet and if you win with a free bet, you get another the next day until you lose.
You will have 72 hours to use a free bet.
Place £20 or more in Exchange back bets on the ‘win’ market of the 13.50 at Ascot, 16/06/2020.
Applies to bets placed after 14:00, 13/06/2020.
You may qualify with either a single bet with a stake of at least £20, or multiple bets with stakes totalling £20 or more.
After your qualifying bet(s) has settled, you’ll receive a £20 Exchange Free Bet.
Every time you place a winning bet with your free bet, you’ll receive another free bet matching the winning stake.
Example:
If you place a £5 winning free bet, you’ll receive a new £5 free bet.
Place a £3 winning free bet & a £2 losing free bet, you’ll receive a new £3 free bet.
If you place a £3 losing free bet & £2 losing free bet, you will no longer be eligible for any further free bets relating to this promotion.
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Key Terms & Conditions
This offer is open to new and existing customers, aged 18 or over, whose country of residence is United Kingdom or Ireland. If you are opted into the My Betfair Rewards ‘Basic’ package you will not be eligible for the promotion. If you register an account after 11am, Sat 13th June 2020, you must deposit by Credit/Debit Card or ApplePay to take part in the offer. Credit Card deposits are not available to accounts registered in the United Kingdom.
Place £20 or more in Exchange back bets on the ‘win’ market of the 13.50 at Ascot, 16/06/2020. Applies to bets placed after 14:00, 13/06/2020. You may qualify with either a single bet with a stake of at least £20, or multiple bets with stakes totalling £20 or more. Lay bets against your qualifying bets will void this promotional offer. Excludes Antepost bets. Unmatched bets will not count towards the promotion. If one or more of your qualifying bets are voided (e.g due to a non-runner), you will need to place additional bets to make up the £20.
After your qualifying bet(s) has settled, you’ll receive a £20 Exchange Free Bet. The free bet will be valid on the Betfair Exchange for 72 hours. The free bet cannot be used on SP bets and the following markets: Asian Handicap, Asian Total Goals, Spreads and Totals, Line Markets & Each Way. Every time you place a winning bet with your free bet, you’ll receive another free bet matching the winning stake. If you cash out of your free bet, you will not be eligible for any additional free bets. The size of the free bet re-credited will be the stake in the case of back bets, or your liability in the case of lay bets. (Up to a maximum of £20)
