Speed heads the Hunt betting

Tough speed was yesterday made the ante-post favourite for the Royal Hunt Cup, which has attracted 100 entries. William Hill and the Tote go 7-1 Tough Speed, while Coral Eurobet are a point longer.

Tough speed was yesterday made the ante-post favourite for the Royal Hunt Cup, which has attracted 100 entries. William Hill and the Tote go 7-1 Tough Speed, while Coral Eurobet are a point longer.

Sir Michael Stoute, responsible for last year's winner Caribbean Monarch, trains the four-year-old, who has been given 9st 6lb in the Royal Ascot handicap on 20 June. Tough Speed finished a one-and- three-quarter-length second to Soviet Flash (9st 8lb) at York last time and is set to meet his old rival on 2lb better terms.

Godolphin's Slip Stream and the Nigel Tinkler-trained Sugarfoot head the weights on 9st 11lb in the one-mile contest.

Zoning, another Godolphin candidate, is next on 9st 10lb, with Tote International Stakes winner Tillerman 1lb lower. Vintage Premium, a close fifth behind Soviet Flash at York, has been given 9st and is reported on course for the race.

"The plan is to go there," the four-year-old's trainer, Richard Fahey, said. "He's has come out of York grand. I'm considering putting a pair of blinkers on him. He might have a run before, but I don't know yet."

Vintage Premium has shown his best form with give underfoot and the Malton trainer added: "It was quick at York and he ran all right, but I think it would probably help if it was a bit softer ­ he goes on it better than the others."

The Wokingham Stakes has attracted 122 entries, including Harmonic Way and Deep Space, the most recent winners of the six-furlong handicap.

Harmonic Way is on 9st 13lb and Deep Space has been set 9st 7lb. Top weight is Dermot Weld's Final Exam, on 10st.

Nice One Clare, fourth last year, and recent unlucky Kempton loser Misraah are other interesting contenders. The Barry Hills-trained Seven No Trumps (8st 7lb) is the 12-1 ante-post favourite with both the Tote and William Hill.

Fahey is also optimistic of getting Superior Premium to Royal Ascot for an attempt to repeat last year's Cork And Orrery Stakes win. Superior Premium flopped in the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint at Kranzi 17 days ago, but Fahey said: "He's fine ­ not a bother on him."