Royal Hunt Cup 2025 Tips: Hi Royal ready to rumble

Wednesday marks day two of Royal Ascot and there is a feast of quality and thoroughly competitive racing to look forward to. The Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes is undoubtedly the highlight of the card but we also have some excellent handicaps to enjoy. Arguably one of the best handicaps of the week, the Royal Hunt Cup is a cavalry charge down the straight mile and as such, they are likely to split into groups.

A maximum field of 30 has been declared, which gives us plenty to ponder. Perhaps the most interesting story is an Irish raider who got backed into 8/1 from 100/1 in the ante-post market. The Royal Hunt Cup is due off at 17:00 and with so many runners declared, Betfred are offering up to SIX places. We’ve picked out two strong fancies for the race and they include a 22/1 shot that finished second in the 2000 Guineas as a three-year-old.

17:00 Royal Ascot - Royal Hunt Cup

Fast Racing Results

17:00 Royal Ascot - The Liffey @ 11/2

It’s hard to ignore the significant market move that The Liffey has made in the last month. Joseph O’Brien’s four-year-old was as big as 100/1 in the ante-post markets less than a month ago but sustained support saw his odds crash drastically.

This very lightly raced son of No Nay Never started his career at Ballydoyle and it didn’t take him long to get off the mark, as he won a maiden on debut. Things didn’t quite go to plan when thrown into Group 3 company next time and he was well beaten in the end.

He was then tried over a mile for the first time on his sole start at three and returned to winning ways, taking a pretty average race by two lengths. Having had just four starts so far, and none in handicap company, Joseph O’Brien’s gelding remains thoroughly unexposed.

The Liffey ran a decent enough race when fourth in Listed company on stable debut at Naas last month, especially as it was his first run for 350 days. Significant improvement is anticipated with that in mind and he’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

17:00 Royal Ascot - Hi Royal @ 22/1

Kevin Ryan runs Hi Royal here and the five-year-old gelding brings a very high level of form to the table. This son of Kodiac was second to Chaldean in the 2023 2000 Guineas and backed that up with a good third behind Paddington in the Irish equivalent.

Consistency isn’t his forte and he disappointed several times as a four-year-old last season. His third behind Ottoman Fleet in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes that year was easily his best performance. He wasn’t beaten all that far and just faded in the final furlong.

Ryan’s gelding only made his handicap debut in the Thirsk Hunt Cup when last seen and he ran a cracker to finish a close up second. That was also his first start of the season and he’s entitled to improve for the run.

A 2lb rise does make life harder but there could be more to come and it’s noted that Billy Loughnane has been booked for the ride. Hi Royal comes with obvious risks attached but that’s factored into the price and he has the ability to make his presence felt.

Offers

Super Extra Places: We are paying Super Extra Places for Each Way bets at 1/5 odds in selected meetings throughout the week. (BOG does not apply).

Horse Racing Odds

Royal Ascot Tips from Betfred Insights.