5.00 1m. 30 Declared. Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str) (Class 2 ) of £175,000.00 3-y-o plus
1st - €90,195.00 2nd - €42,298.00 3rd - €21,158.00 4th - €10,570.00 5th - €5,285.00 6th - €2,642.00
Formscan - HOLLOWAY BOY won the Chesham on debut at this meeting four years ago and seems to save some of his best performances for Ascot, notably when a solid fourth in the Jersey (2023), fifth in this race two years ago and a neck second in last year's Balmoral on Champions Day. Karl Burke's charge has finished behind some very smart horses in Dubai this year and his prep race for this went well in the Paradise Stakes here last month. He's got top weight on his return to handicap company, but Jack Nicholls takes 5lb off and he could go well at generous odds. Indalo represents last year's winning handler and there is a lot to like about his profile, while Classic beat him narrowly at Newbury and also comes into calculations. The latter's stable companion Linwood isn't without an each-way squeak and similar sentiments apply to La Botte.