Racecards
17:00 Ascot
Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str) (Class 2)
- 28 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £175,000 added
- Winner: £108,938
- 2nd: £32,620
- 3rd: £16,310
- 4th: £8,155
- Form 7624-18
- Age 5
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey R Havlin
mid-division, far side, outpaced when groups merged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 6/11334-
- Age 5
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey J Fortune
tracked leader, centre, ridden when groups merged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 578352
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 110
mid-division, far side, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
- Form 13616-3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer Francois Rohaut
- Jockey Oisin Murphy
behind, far side, outpaced when groups mearged over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, never on terms
- Form 1122-9
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer D R Lanigan
- Jockey G Baker
in rear, far side, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, not reach front pair
- Form 4-24156
- Age 7
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer H & R Charlton
- Jockey Edward Greatrex
chased leaders, centre, ridden when groups merged over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 753119-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Owen Burrows
- Jockey P Hanagan
led centre, lost place when groups merged over 2f out, soon behind
- Form 1/49-722
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
towards rear, centre, outpaced when groups merged over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never a threat
- Form 57134-1
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey James McDonald
mid-division, centre, headway 2f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 608-370
- Age 7
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Callum Shepherd
in touch, far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 00125-1
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M Halford
- Jockey James Doyle
prominent, far side, effort to challenge over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
- Form 733-931
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 104
tracked leaders, far side, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
- Form 0-00977
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey S De Sousa
towards rear, far side, outpaced 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
- Form 2436-50
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey George Wood
tracked leaders, far side, ridden when groups meged over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 8765-65
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey S M Levey
towards rear, far side, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never nearer
- Form 23126-1
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey F Tylicki
tracked leaders, centre, ridden when groups merged over 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 3604-25
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer R Eddery
- Jockey Tom Marquand
mid-division, centre, outpaced when groups merged over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
- Form 410-445
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey David Probert
in touch, far side, outpaced when groups merged over 2f out, soon ridden, lost place inside final furlong
- Form 150-002
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
in touch, far side, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost place inside final furlong
- Form 09-9054
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer D M Simcock
- Jockey J P Spencer
towards rear, far side, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no impression
- Form 90-3822
- Age 5
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer Jedd O'Keeffe
- Jockey J Garritty
prominent far, side, ridden and effort inside final 2f, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
- Form 010-405
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer George Baker
- Jockey P Cosgrave
mid-division, centre, outpaced when groups merged over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms
- Form 3-31446
- Age 7
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam
- Jockey P J Smullen
mid-division, far side, outpaced when groups merged over 2f out, not clear run inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
- Form 464-021
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer M Botti
- Jockey Andrea Atzeni
mid-division, far side, driven when not clear run inside final 2f, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, held towards finish
- Form 23100-1
- Age 5
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer H J L Dunlop
- Jockey G Mosse
led overall, far side, ridden inside final 2f, headed narrowly 1f out, kept on until no extra and lost place towards finish
- Form 686-305
- Age 6
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer D Loughnane
- Jockey S W Kelly
mid-division, far side, driven to chase leaders inside final 2f, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
- Form 16512-1
- Age 4
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 97
mid-division, centre, headway when groups merged over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
- Form 2735-58
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey Jim Crowley
NonRunner
- Form 700-605
- Age 8
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer George Baker
- Jockey S J Drowne
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
A fiercely-competitive renewal of this mile handicap with most of these accustomed to the hurly-burly of races like this. The 2013 winner Belgian Bill, who won the Betfred Mile at Goodwood last season, is back for more and Gm Hopkins is bidding to repeat last year's victory off a 9lb higher mark. Balty Boys was fourth last year and is 12lb better off with the winner while Spark Plug was making ground when clipping heels and falling – he's also 3lb lower. Battle Of Marathon wasn't beaten far by Gm Hopkins here in April but still looks too high in the weights. Convey will be popular after a fine run in a Group 3 at Haydock but he may be vulnerable over this extra furlong in a fast-run race, though has stall 33 which has produced the winner in three of the last seven years. Portage, one of four Godolphin-owned runners, won a Listed race over 1m2f at the Curragh so comes here in good form, though this is a much different test. The boys in blue also have a chance with Doncaster scorer Secret Brief but he may not have been done any favours by a low draw. James Fanshawe won this twice in the noughties and Spirit Raiser made sure she got into this year's race by picking up a penalty when successful at Nottingham two weeks ago. INSTANT ATTRACTION will love the ground and has been a bit unlucky not to win a race this year. Given unfashionable connections, he might have been underestimated by bookmakers and looks a cracking each-way wager in a wide-open betting heat which has produced more than its share of shock results down the years.
Formwatch
Gm Hopkins 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway tracking leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Belardo (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gd in May.
Basem 6-5fav (9-2) Tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 8 3/4l behind Battalion (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Raced centre, held up towards rear, hard ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Gm Hopkins (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Mr Owen (USA) (8-11) 3rd of 11, 4 3/4l behind Vadamos (9-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 2 stks gs in May.
Mitchum Swagger 7-2 (9-3) Mid-division, no progress from over 1f out, 9th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Home Of The Brave (9-3) at Leicester 7f lst stks (1) gs in Apr.
Captain Cat (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Raced centre, steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat, 6th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Gm Hopkins (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Algaith (USA) 20-1 (8-13) Led group of 5 in centre, hung right over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 22 1/4l behind Energia Davos (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Convey 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, strong challenge close home, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Home Of The Brave (9-0) at Haydock 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Carry On Deryck (9-1) won at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb beating Udododontu (9-2) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Balty Boys (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Slowly away, always behind, never involved, 16th of 19, 9 1/2l behind Always Smile (9-4) at York 1m hcp lst stks (1) gf in May.
Portage (IRE) 7-4fav (9-9) Broke well and led early, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along entering straight, progress to lead 2f out, ridden and 3 lengths clear 150 yards out, kept on, won at Curragh 1m 2f lst stks (1) gf in Jun beating Chemical Charge (9-9) by 1l, 6 ran.
Secret Brief (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Raced stand side towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, edged left and joined leader inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish (hand timed), won at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Apr beating Bravo Zolo (9-5) by nk, 22 ran.
Bossy Guest (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in last trio, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 5l behind Decorated Knight (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in May.
Hors De Combat 12-1 (9-5) In touch, headway chasing leaders when not much room over 2f out, keeping on when not clear run again and slightly hampered over 1f out, no real progress when in the clear final furlong, 10th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Always Smile (9-4) at York 1m hcp lst stks (1) gf in May.
Spark Plug (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Held up in mid-division on inside, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway chasing leaders 2f out, hung badly left from over 1f out, 4th and held when eased inside final furlong, dropped to 5th soon after, 5th of 8, 5l behind Spirit Raiser (9-4) at Nottingham 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Spirit Raiser (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd on bit inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out, won at Nottingham 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun beating Off Art (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Donncha (IRE) 8-1cfav (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway when not clear run on rail and squeezed through 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, not reach leaders, 5th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Always Smile (9-4) at York 1m hcp lst stks (1) gf in May.
Emell 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on and always held, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Can't Change It (8-8) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Man Of Harlech 10-1 (9-4) In touch towards far side ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 22, 5 1/4l behind Secret Brief (9-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Hasanour (USA) 16-1 (9-11) Held up, towards rear halfway, ridden and progress into 6th 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Anamba (8-9) at Naas 7f lst stks (1) gd in May.
Glory Awaits (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) In touch, headway chasing leaders 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 19, 2l behind Always Smile (9-4) at York 1m hcp lst stks (1) gf in May.
Instant Attraction (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Examiner (9-0) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Boomshackerlacker (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 16, 3 1/4l behind Carry On Deryck (9-1) at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Solar Deity (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Midfield, headway under pressure over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, ran on, 6th of 12, 2l behind Keystroke (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Azraff (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway chasing leaders 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left well inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in May beating Gabrial's Kaka (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Early Morning (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-7) Led after 1f, made rest, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (3) pol in Apr beating Lovely Memory (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Earth Drummer (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run inside final 2f, hampered over 1f out, switched right and ran on inside final furlong, finished well, not reach leaders, 5th of 26, 2 1/2l behind Flash Fire (9-6) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in May.
Librisa Breeze 5-2 (9-4) Raced keenly, held up in touch, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, edged left and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Apr beating Capo Rosso (9-3) by 1l, 7 ran.
Master The World (IRE) 8-1cfav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on wide outside under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 8th of 19, 3 3/4l behind Always Smile (9-4) at York 1m hcp lst stks (1) gf in May.
Belgian Bill (9-1) Slowly into stride, mid-division, chased leaders 400m out, ran on same pace final 300m, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tryster (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f stks gd in Feb.