1m (Str) Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)
The stiff mile at Ascot on fast ground requires a lot of stamina to win so finding horses that have won over 1m 1f or even 1m 2f has often been a solid strategy. There are plenty that fit that profile, but two that both look potentially ahead of the handicapper and could arguably be future pattern-level performers are the newly acquired Wathnan Racing pair of REAL GAIN and BESHTANI.
Starting with the former, Real Gain showed a real liking for fast ground when absolutely hosing up to win a Newmarket handicap on this type of surface last September. He followed that up by running well in a Group 3 when inconvienced by a return to softer going.
In his comeback run this season, Real Gain was never really seriously positioned to threaten and consequently had quite an easy race finishing midfield. That should have blown away the cobwebs and the handicapper generously dropped him by a pound, and whilst his owners hit the crossbar on day one of the Royal meeting, they should have a live chance here with William Buick on board of this unexposed colt.
The other Wathnan Racing entrant, Beshtani, is a former French recruit. He was unlucky not to claim success on his opening start for his yard in a handicap at Epsom. That was a top drawer handicap performance considering the weight he was carrying and the winner has since gone on to frank the form by winning again. Beshtani is also another lightly-raced colt who is strong at the finish of his races and there is potential for him to make up into a Group horse considering his high-class pedigree.
Both have decent chances in an open race.
1pt win Real Gain @9/1, 17:05 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
1pt win Beshtani @10/1, 17:05 Royal Ascot, Wednesday