Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot at York Preview

Before committing your readies to any horse in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot at York on Wednesday 15 (4.20) it's well worth taking a close look at the draw.Over the years those drawn low in big fields over a mile have a good record, a remark which applies mainly to horses that like to race prominently. Those jumping off from a single-figure draw are able to adopt a handy position near to the rail and go the shortest way around the left-hand turn which will be upon them after covering about a furlong-and-a-half of the Knavesmire's gradients.Conversely, hold-up horses often find themselves too far behind coming into the straight because those drawn high usually make a beeline for the rail, causing the come-from-behind performers to be shuffled back. There are often traffic problems in the straight thereafter. All things considered, you'll be needing lady luck on your side. At the time of writing we're shooting in the dark a bit because the draw hasn't taken place. However, granted a bit of luck in running, Irish raider MULLINS BAY could well prove the answer to a tricky handicap.Aidan O'Brien's charge, who is a top-priced 16-1 with Coral, will go into the race as one of the least exposed runners, having had just four career starts to date. The son of Machiavellian lost no caste in defeat last time when running on well to finish over a length third to Rathgowney Lad in a valuable handicap at The Curragh. That outing followed a promising effort in the Irish Lincoln in which he ran far better than his actual finishing position of eighth may suggest. With those two runs under his belt the four-year-old should be as sharp as a razor and, with king Kieren in the saddle he may well prove too strong for ante-post favourite Eden Rock.The latter will need some of the current entries to drop out if he is to make the cut but at this stage it is looking as though he will be lining up, as many of those higher up in the weights look likely to defect.The Danehill colt was returning from a 609-day absence when readily beating Ridge Boy by a neck at Goodwood last month and, despite being raised 12lb for that, he could still be a step ahead of the handicapper off a rating of 95.His trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who won this race with Caribbean Monarch in 2000, has been training Eden Rock with one eye on this race and a big run is anticipated. However, the generally available price of 9-2 is way too skinny in a race of this nature and he is passed over on that basis.Of the rest, the lion's share are exposed sorts, who look weighed up to their best, therefore look vulnerable to the likes of Mullins Bay and Eden Rock. That said Blue Spinnaker is capable of going well, while the 25-1 on offer about With Reason with Stanley Bet would be tempting if he were to line up for this valuable handicap, as opposed to having a tilt at the Group One Queen Anne Stakes.The Saeed bin Suroor-trained gelding will need to be at his best to defy the welter burden of nine-stone-ten-pounds, but he is a proven Group-race performer, who is a tenacious front-runner and he will not go down without a fight. As such he is well worth a small each-way saver.Betting verdict: 1pt win Mullins Bay @ 16/1 (Coral)0.50 pts e/w With Reason @ 25/1 (Stanley Bet)