One of the toughest punting puzzles of the week, the Royal Hunt Cup will yet again see a bumper field of 30 horses head to the 1m start for the handicap contest. A race awash with experienced campaigners taking on emerging milers, the race is a fascinating betting heat.
Steve Chambers takes a look at the prestigious contest, which is run at 5pm on Wednesday 17th June, and he has a 50/1 selection for the race.
2026 Royal Hunt Cup Runners
Roger Varian saddled the well-backed My Cloud to victory in this race 12 months ago and he looks to reign supreme once again on Wednesday. He will saddle the well-fancied Indalo, who warmed up for this with a second placed finish behind Classic at Newbury.
Fourth in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket earlier in his career, Scoville will look to strike for William Haggas. Now lining up in this handicap, he’s one that could be ahead of his current mark. Runner-up in the Britannia Stakes last season at Royal Ascot, La Botte will be bidding to go one better in this contest.
The aforementioned Classic will take his chance and he will be aiming to frank that Newbury form with Indalo, and alongside the likes of Linwood, Archivist and Erzindjan all four of them will head to this contest with a win on their last racecourse start.
Fifth Column, Shout and Mister Winston are all classy milers in handicaps and could play a notable role, whilst a whole plethora of outsiders will be looking to etch their name on the illustrious roll of honour.
2026 Royal Hunt Cup Racecard
17:00 Ascot
Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
- Going Good To Firm
- Distance 1m 0f 0y
- Class Class 2
- Race Type Flat Turf
- Surface Turf
- Runners 28
- Win Time 1m 39s
28/1
(Won)
28/1
9/1
20/1
25/1
17/2
12/1
125/1
14/1
33/1
11/1
8/1
17/2
125/1
25/1
16/1
14/1
125/1
80/1
5/1F
50/1
80/1
16/1
20/1
50/1
25/1
33/1
66/1
12/1
25/1
25/1
28/1
(Won)
- Win: £34.45
- Place: £7.60
20/1
- Place: £5.00
28/1
(Won)
- Win: £34.45
- Place: £7.60
20/1
- Place: £5.00
Non-runners
Linwood, Chibitty
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £1351.90 |
| Straight Forecast | £699.89 |
| Tricast | £7497.35 |
| Trifecta | £5264.80 |
Selections
2026 Royal Hunt Cup Trends
Check out the key Queen Anne Stakes and trends for the Group 1 showpiece…
- 8 of the last 10 winners have been aged four
- 2 favourites have won in the last 10 years
- 5 of the last 10 winners have been rated 100 or higher
- No winner has carried more than 9st 5lbs to victory in last 10 years
2026 Royal Hunt Cup Tips
Trends certainly suggest Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza has it all to do, but the near top-weighted five-year-old is too big to let go from an each-way perspective. A listed winner at the Curragh at his best, he’s struggled for any sort of form of late, but with the visor tried for this he could be of notable interest. He was runner-up in the Britannia Stakes earlier in his career, and if he can settle then he should relish the quick pace this is run at. Archivist impressed last time out and could well be ahead of his current mark, whilst Indalo has to be respected from right down the bottom of the weights.
FAQ
When and where is the Royal Hunt Cup run?
The Royal Hunt Cup will take place at Ascot racecourse on day 2 of Royal Ascot on Wednesday 17th June, 2026 at 5.00pm.
How can I watch the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday?
The Royal Hunt Cup is live on ITV at 5.00pm on Wednesday afternoon.
When were the Royal Hunt Cup tips published?
The tips for the Royal Hunt Cup were published at 1.35pm on Tuesday 16th June.
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