Royal Hunt Cup Betting Odds - Royal Ascot 2023


Royal Ascot may predominantly be all about the Group class contests but there is also top class handicapping action on offer. Top of the bill is this event, which is regularly one of the most popular betting heats of the week, and has thrown up a number of memorable finishes over the years. Run over the straight mile at Ascot, this handicap contest is open to runners aged three and older, and offers a thrilling racing spectacle of the cavalry charge variety.

The early signs are that Michael Halford’s Portage will return to defend the crown he won here in 2016. The stats are against him though, as since this race was first run back in 1843, only Master Vote has taken the prize on more than one occasion. 2016 third Mitchum Swagger also looks set to return for another crack.

That’s not to say Portage can’t win, but there are a couple who are likely to have a better chance for our money, as we outline in our betting tips for the contest. In such a wide-open affair, it wouldn’t be too unusual to see even the favourite go off at double figure betting odds. One thing to bear in mind when making your selection for the race is that it may pay to concentrate on those runners aged between four and six. In the past 37 years, 36 winners have fallen into this age bracket and we predict this year will follow that trend.

Fastnet Tempest boasts rock solid course form having taken the Victoria Cup at this venue last time out. The William Haggas runner will have a higher mark to contend with but looks to be still on the upgrade and can go close. Looking at our odds comparison, the best price of 10/1 could represent a bit of value.

Richard Hannon’s George William is due some luck in one of these, having done well to finish as close as he has in his two most recent outings, when hampered in the run on each occasion. Beaten under a length by Fastnet Tempest last time out over 7f, he was running on well at the finish and this step back up to a mile can see him at least make the frame again at odds of 16/1 with Bet365.

Whoever you plump for in this hugely exciting race, remember to consult our live odds comparison and ensure you obtain the best odds for your selection. Always taking the best price can be the difference between winning and losing in the long run!


The Royal Hunt Cup is one of the oldest races in the world, dating back to 1843, and was originally run over a distance of seven furlongs, 166 yards. Extended to its current distance of a mile in 1956, it is run over a straight course and is open to horses aged three years and over. With a large field, this fascinating Class 2 Heritage Handicap is always tough to predict but there is invariably some excellent each way value to be had. Read on for our race predictions and betting tips or check out our live betting odds comparison for all the runners below.

The betting is currently headed by Speculative Bid, with odds of 12/1 widely available and indicative of the open nature of this contest, with several other runners priced around the same mark. Ayaar (best odds of 14/1 with Paddy Power), GM Hopkins (16/1 BetVictor), Temptress (16/1 Betway) and Lightning Spear (16/1 with Bet365) are all serious contenders but there are several other fascinating options who all have solid claims to winning the Royal Hunt Cup this year.

Speculative Bid, an Irish gelding trained by David Elsworth, is a worthy favourite given his three consecutive wins this season and whilst they have all come over seven furlongs, a win over a mile on heavy ground at Doncaster last May suggests the distance here won’t be a problem. The four-year-old faces plenty of opposition but 12/1 looks like a very good bet to us and we predict the favourite will go well.

Lower down the betting our second betting tip is Bold Lass, currently priced at betting odds of 25/1 with BetVictor. This four-year-old filly is trained by David Lanigan and is a daughter of the mighty Sea The Stars and is very much worth an each way bet here. She won on her seasonal return at Windsor in May over this same distance and is also a course and distance winner and we predict she may have more to come, making 25/1 a great bet.

Other Day Two Races