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Saturday 8th August

1.10 Ascot

There is little doubt that the Shergar Cup is a good attraction for racing but from a betting point of view, it is not really a meeting that I like to get stuck into. Unfamiliar jockeys on unfamiliar horses are a recipe for disaster when it comes to the bank balance, but I will give it a go. The Dash has attracted some decent animals, many of whom were seen at Goodwood last week. BINIOU ran respectably in the Stewards’ Cup last Saturday but he looks vulnerable here off a 4lbs higher mark. He is also better off when he is able to get his toe in but at the time of writing the ground at Ascot is described as good to firm although with the fluctuating weather around at the moment I wouldn’t bet against it turning in his favour. BUACHAILL DONA could only finish 13th in the Stewards’ Cup but is still on a winning mark at the moment and I think he is at his best over 5f. Dandy Nicholls won this race last season with Strike Up The Band so that is another positive in his favour but I have to admit I know nothing of his jockey. Baring that in mind, FOL HOLLOW, who was one place behind his stable mate in the Stewards’ Cup may prove the better option with Hayley Turner booked to ride. He was only beaten 1L by JUDGE ‘N JURY on his penultimate start but he is 2lbs better off with that rival tomorrow. Dandy’s third runner MANDURAH (reserve) wasn’t beaten far in that particular contest over course and distance and ran respectably at Goodwood last Thursday but I can’t help but think he needs to drop a few pounds before he is winning again. Whilst on the topic of JUDGE ‘N JURY, let’s have a look at him. He had been struggling earlier in the year, plying his trade in pattern company, but the step back into handicap class has seen him get competitive once again. He is up 3lbs for his recent Ascot success but with him proven on soft ground, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him follow up. CAPTAIN DUNNE looks a shade too high in the weights and is held by a few of his rivals so would not be for me and a similar comment would apply to Nick Littmoden’s pair of ORPSIE BOY and GROUP THERAPY. CHEVETON is back to winning mark and will appreciate the softish ground so I have him down as a dark horse over his ideal trip. TABARET is possibly a shade high in the weights and not certain to act on the ground. GINOBILI doesn’t have many miles on the clock but has some decent form in the bag. He has run well on soft ground in the past but I am not sure 5f is his ideal trip. JIMMY RYAN (reserve) looked a very progressive horse in his day but he hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since May 2005! The fact that Tim McCarthy has kept him in training speaks volumes and it would be nice to see that faith repaid but any sane judge would have to believe he will come on for whatever he does tomorrow.

SHORTLIST

FOL HOLLOW
JUDGE ‘N JURY

1.45 Ascot

Mark Johnston is responsible for a third of the runners in the Shergar Cup Classic, so they are as good a starting point as any. Although QUAI D’ORSAY won his maiden on soft ground he has disappointed since under similar conditions. As he likes to make the running, I would also be concerned that he will set the race up for one of the closers as he will need every yard of the 1m4f here. SABOTAGE doesn’t have many miles on the clock and although he was disappointing at Goodwood last time I was impressed with his attitude at Ascot the time before when he finished a very respectable 3rd over tomorrows trip. Back against his own age group I wouldn’t rule out a solid effort although I do find the jockey booking slightly worrying. But I think the pick of the three is ALANBROOKE who has been revitalized since the introduction of blinkers. He is confirmed on soft ground, will have no problem with the trip and is partnered by Darryll Holland, who has ridden the horse in the past. However, it isn’t all about Mark Johnston as there are some decent animals in opposition. BARWELL BRIDGE has looked a progressive horse this year and I feel had a reasonable excuse at Goodwood last time as he didn’t get the clearest of passages. He will need to carry on where he left off before that if he is to stakes a claim but I wouldn’t bet against it. Clive Cox keeps banging in the winners so POLLY’S MARK isn’t dismissed lightly under a 3lbs penalty following her listed success at Newbury on Sunday. I always like following Andrew Balding’s runners at Ascot but it looks like the handicapper has CHIBERTA KING where he wants him now. BRAVEHEART MOVE was all the rage ahead of his run at Goodwood last week but run very flat before trailing in well beaten. It clearly wasn’t his true running but in the absence of any excuse he wouldn’t be one to trust until he has confirmed it has been a one off. A similar comment applies to HOLYROOD who had looked to be going the right way until disappointing at Musselburgh in June. He is still unproven at the trip but on what I have seen of him it shouldn’t pose a problem and I also think that Hayley Turner will be pulling out all the stops to get one on the board for Stoute. MUBAYA is having his first try at the trip but he looked in need of it to me when getting outpaced at Ascot last time. He can tend to be a little keen in his races so he will need to settle better to ensure he gets the trip but I don’t think he has stopped improving yet.

SHORTLIST

ALANBROOKE
POLLY’S MARK

2.10 Haydock

Haydock has a good looking card on offer tomorrow and this class 2 handicap looks a tough nut to crack. David Baron won this race last year with the classy ZERO TOLERANCE but whilst FLIPANDO comes into the race in fine form after a brace of runners up efforts, I would have to say off his current mark and on less than ideal ground, he looks up against it. THE OSTEOPATH beat him at Newcastle in June and although he re-opposes on 3lbs worse terms he will appreciate the soft conditions but he will need to improve again off a career high mark. Another that will relish the testing conditions is COBO BAY who won on very heavy ground at Nottingham last month. He followed that with a very nice effort when 3rd in the Beeswing Handicap at Newcastle, off the same mark as today, and with an eye catching jockey booking, he looks sure to give a good account. I am not sure Michael Bell knew the best trip for FOOLIN MYSELF but he looked to have got it right over a mile at Ascot last month. He clearly retains the ability of juvenile season when he beat Tartan Bearer on his second start but I am not sure he is the most genuine of animals. When asked to go and win his race at Ascot he didn’t seem that comfortable to hit the front and was worried out of it by the eventual winner. OPUS MAXIMUS is a horse I like but he does need everything to drop right. He is more than at home in this competitive heats and comes into the race on the back of a much improved effort at Chester last time but he may just need a little reprieve from the handicapper before he is winning again. ANGEL ROCK relishes a true test and he looks certain to get it here. He still looks on a winning mark to me and with course and distance form in the bag; I have him down as a major player in this contest. ANSELLS PRIDE could prove the dark horse of the race from down the bottom of the handicap. He is 3lbs lower than when winning over course and distance last year and with winning form on soft ground, he could reward each-way support.

SHORTLIST

ANGEL ROCK
COBO BAY
ANSELLS PRIDE

2.20 Ascot

BENCOOLEN was an impressive soft ground winner of the apprentice race at Goodwood last week so has to be given a chance here although he will find this tougher after a 5lbs hike up the weights. DOCOFTHEBAY deserves to get his head in front as he is such a consistent animal. He ran a cracker to finish 3rd in the Totesport Mile last week and must be a threat if building on that. However, he is without a win since August 2007, so if you decide to back him you have been warned. CITY OF KINGS has looked progressive this summer but off his current mark and with the ground looking less than ideal, I believe his winning run will come to an end. I backed TARTAN GIGHA when he won at Epsom in June but he looks in the grip of the handicapper at the moment and isn’t certain to go on the ground. I had a little bit each-way on MOYNAHAN at Goodwood and I think given a clearer run he may well have landed the spoils ahead of Axiom. He has clearly had his problems after finishing 6th behind Henrythenavigator in the 2000 Guineas but I think over a mile with some ease in the ground, he is weighted to go close here. There is a form line though Axiom as DUNN’O beat him 1/2L at Sandown in May and although Clive Cox’s runner was disappointing in the Royal Hunt Cup, I would not be surprised in the least to see him bounce back here.

SHORTLIST

DUNN’O
MOYNAHAN

2.25 Newmarket

This looks a nice little race and it will interesting to see how RECESSION PROOF fares after winning at Newbury on Sunday and Pontefract on Wednesday. Both wins came in amateur contests but he couldn’t have done it any easier and it is arguable whether a 12lbs penalty is enough to stop recording a memorable hat-trick. YIRGA had looked a progressive horse after two victories in June but he was slightly disappointing when only second at 2/5F in a three runner affair at Folkestone. The ground was pretty quick that day and that may have proved his down fall but it is also possible that he found the 10f a stretch on his stamina. YORGUNNABELUCKY was stunning when winning a fast ground maiden at Redcar in June by a comfortable 16L but he looked very modest when well beaten on soft ground over course and distance last month. Being a full brother to the prolific Group 1 winner Shamardal a lot is expected of him but on what I have seen so far he doesn’t look anywhere close to that level. Of the two Johnston runners I prefer WHISPERING GALLERY who is still pretty unexposed. A very impressive winner on his debut at Hamilton he followed that with another impressive effort in the Cadbury Cup last time. J-P gets on well with the horse so that doesn’t put me off as he won a valuable race at Brighton on a so called 20/1 second string for Johnston earlier this week. I am not a fan of BUGAKU despite the fact that he has the profile of a horse that Stoute excels with. In my opinion he is in need of much further than this so I will not be backing him tomorrow. I wouldn’t rule out VAINGLORY as I believe he is at his best over tomorrow’s trip but as he is so consistent, the handicapper hasn’t relented and ideally I think he needs to drop a few pounds.

SHORTLIST

WHISPERING GALLERY

2.40 Haydock

There are some really nice animals on show here. DUNCAN is the top-rated after a very impressive effort in the Coronation Cup in June. On the back of that run he would be strongly fancied here but he was very disappointing in the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes last time. Despite being sent off the 2/1 favourite, he trailed in a well beaten last and I think has questions to answer now. He refused to settle at Newmarket and those early exertions clearly took their toll and if he is in a similar mood tomorrow he will struggle. On a sound surface I would fancy TRANQUIL TIGER but the ground looks against him tomorrow whilst I am also against the only three-year-old in the line up JUKEBOX JURY. I wasn’t convinced that the form of his Royal Lodge success would stand up and although he chased home Crowded House in the RP Trophy I am still far from convinced. I accept that he was injured over the winter but for me he still has plenty to find. The ex-Mark Johnston trained CAMPANOLOGIST has disappointed me on both of his last two starts. I couldn’t believe he folded so tamely in the Hardwicke despite the fact that Bronze Cannon was conceding weight and he never got into it in the Princess Of Wales’s. He clearly has ability on his day but I am far from convinced. STAYING ON rarely fails to run his race and has done connections proud. I don’t think 10f are a problem for him although I think he is probably a shade better on a sound surface. TRAFIC GUARD hasn’t proved the easiest horse to win with and is another that isn’t at his best with juice in the ground whilst SUPASEUS has been badly out of form this season and is easily opposable. PHILATELIST has tinkered at this level with probably his best effort coming when 3L third to Ask in the 2008 Gordon Richards Stakes. All four of his wins have come on the all weather but he has some decent turf form in the book and I think he could run a very big race tomorrow over a trip and on ground that will suit. ALLIED POWERS has twice won on heavy ground so is one for the shortlist, especially after an impressive effort in a Group 2 at York last time. He has form to find with DUNCAN but with the ground in his favour I can see him pulling it off.

SHORTLIST

PHILATELIST

2.55 Ascot

Maybe it is me but in my opinion most of these runners have questions to answer. MACORVILLE doesn’t look the force he once was whilst TUNGSTEN STRIKE has plenty to prove after three dismal efforts this season. However, I do see a glimmer of light for him as he did win the Sagaro Stakes over course and distance a few years ago and will act in the conditions. Alan Munro looks a positive booking so whilst it remains to be seen if he retains his zest for racing, I couldn’t rule him out completely. KEENES DAY doesn’t look like he will act in the soft conditions but GEE DEE NEN shouldn’t have a problem and looks capable of landing a blow as long as there is a decent pace in the race as he has winning form over three miles over hurdles. We all know about BULWARK, a classy animal but impossible to catch on a going day. YES MR PRESIDENT ran well at Goodwood in the Summer Stakes and I can see him improving for the step up in trip. I don’t think he would want it too soft but as long as there is good in the description I think he will be alright and his riders 3lbs claim could prove significant over this stamina test. OVERRULE finished in front of him at Carlisle but re-opposes on much worse terms and probably needs faster ground than this. WOOLFALL TREASURE won’t be short of stamina after finishing a respectable 6th in the Ascot Stakes and I see him as one of the main dangers as he does act on soft ground. DOLLY PENROSE really likes to get her toe in and if conditions worsen, she shouldn’t be overlooked. She is yet to win over this far but went very close at Chester last month. ALWAYS BOLD will also appreciate the ease in the ground but ultimately I think he has a bit to find with his rivals here.

SHORTLIST

YES MR PRESIDENT
DOLLY PENROSE

3.00 Newmarket

There have been some top class winners of this race down the years, so whatever wins tomorrow keep a note of their name in your notebook. JIRA won the Empress Stakes here in June before running a respectable race in the Princess Margaret last time. This step up in trip looks the natural progression now and it could be dangerous to overlook her. However, the one I am keen on is SENT FROM HEAVEN who is very nicely bred and looked a filly with a bright future when winning on her debut at Kempton. The fact that she is stepping into Pattern company for her second start suggests to me that Barry Hills clearly thinks plenty of her and I am more than happy to trust his judgement as he has won this race four times in the last eight years. LONG LASHES looked impressive when winning a listed contest at the Curragh on her debut in June. She clearly handled the soft conditions and I think this step up in trip will suit. So she is definitely one to be worried about. After winning over 7f on her debut it seemed odd that Richard Hannon chose to drop BLUE ANGEL back in trip at Newmarket last time. As it was she ran a very nice race to finish second but always looked like she needed further. That came on good to soft ground, so there are no worries on that front and I can see her mounting a bold bid. The final filly to catch my attention is CHACHAMAIDEE who didn’t do a lot wrong in the Albany, when 3rd behind Habaayib. The fact that she is yet to encounter ground this soft is a slight concern but if she handles it, she also has to be in with a chance.

SHORTLIST

SENT FROM HEAVEN
LONG LASHES

3.15 Haydock

There are plenty of well known horses on show here but I think the number one question is, has DANCOURT stopped improving yet? He has looked a very progressive horse this season, winning his last two starts, the last of which was a very impressive effort at Sandown last month when stepped up to 10f. If you are looking to take him on, the only glimmer of light I can see is the fact that he is up another 8lbs tomorrow and he is untried on softish ground. I was taken with the performance of PLAISTERER at Doncaster last time, when she made up plenty of ground in the closing stages and was good for a bit more than the official margin suggests. Chris Wall and Jack Mitchell look to have finally got to the bottom of this filly and if she is able to pick up where she left off, she must have a serious chance, despite a 7lbs hike up the weights. SWEET LIGHTENING was another that caught my eye last time, chasing home Drumfire at Goodwood. There is little doubt that he is a tricky customer but Martin Dwyer has plenty of experience with him and if any jockey can eke out a win, it is him. I quite like CHESHIRE PRINCE but the ground may just be against him and I would also be keen on LIBEL LAW on quicker ground. He didn’t run too badly in the Dee Stakes and remains in good heart after finishing second at Leicester.

SHORTLIST

DANCOURT
PLAISTERER
SWEET LIGHTENING

3.30 Ascot

This is probably the best race on the Ascot card and not an easy one to unravel. RECORD BREAKER ran a screamer off a 10lbs higher mark when chasing home Drill Sergeant in the Duke Of Edinburgh but either didn’t act on the ground or found the two miles too far in the Northumberland Plate. He ran better back at Ascot last time but I couldn’t back him on soft ground. KING CHARLES will act on the ground but may just be a bit high in the weights whilst HERON BAY hasn’t proved the easiest of horses to win with. MYSTERY STAR was unlucky to get touched off at Ascot last time, confirming that he has no trouble getting a mile and a half. His racing style suggests that the cut in the ground shouldn’t prove a problem but he does look high enough in the weights. I was impressed by CONQUISTO at Doncaster last time when he beat a decent line up in convincing style. He is up 7lbs as a result but acts well when there is some juice in the ground and will be ably assisted by Seamie Heffernan. PRESS THE BUTTON looks more of a 10f horse to me and is usually better on a sounder surface but I wouldn’t be too quick to right off NIGHT CRESCENDO despite a lack lustre effort last time. He was a course and distance winner under similar conditions last year off a mark 4lbs higher than tomorrow, so if Neil Callan is able to get a tune out of him, he could prove the dark horse of the race. BUDDHIST MONK has plenty to find judged on his recent form but the same can’t be said of REMEMBER RAMON who made all for an impressive victory on the July Course last month. That came of good to soft ground so there are no worries on that front and I think he still has more to offer off a current mark of 86. WILLIAM BLAKE ran well behind Drumfire at Goodwood but I believe 10f to be more his trip.

SHORTLIST

CONQUISTO
NIGHT CRESCENDO

3.35 Newmarket

SPLENDORINTHEGRASS was disappointing when a beaten odds on shot at Thirsk on his reappearance but bounced back in startling fashion at Newmarket last month. The soft conditions clearly suited as he ran out a convincing winner of what looked a decent maiden. This does represent a big step up in class though as he takes on his older rivals for the first time so it will be interesting to see if the handicapper has found his measure. SIGNOR PELTRO has been running consistently well over 7f this season and has to be given a chance here as we know he acts on the track having finished a very respectable 7th in the Bunbury Cup. He also had winning form with ease in the ground and I think he still looks competitive even though he remains on a career high mark. The final one to catch my interest is CASTLES IN THE AIR who was an impressive winner of the ladies race at Ascot on King George day. Considering it was a pretty tough line up, he did it pretty easily and even though he is up 10lbs tomorrow I believe he is capable of further improvement.

SHORTLIST

SPLENDORINTHEGRASS
SIGNOR PELTRO
CASTLES IN THE AIR

3.45 Redcar

HALTELA looked a promising horse when winning at York in June but failed to run his race on softish ground at Doncaster last time. I am prepared to forgive him that effort in the hope that it was the ground to blame and believe he is worth another chance on a sounder surface. CIAN ROONEY was impressive when making all at Pontefract over 5f last time so should appreciate this step up in trip. Those are my two main fancies but in truth this looks a wide open race.

SHORTLIST

HALTELA
CIAN ROONEY

4.05 Ascot

With only 7lbs covering the entire field it would be dangerous to write off any runner. I quite like the look of NOVERRE TO GO for Hayley Turner and man of the moment Tom Dascombe. I have no doubt he is a better horse over 6f and I believe the handicapper has left him on a winning mark. I also quite like the look of TROPICAL PARADISE who didn’t run a bad race on her reappearance at Newbury last month. That will have brought her on and she could prove a filly with a future when getting her ideal conditions. KERRYS REQUIEM hasn’t been the easiest horse to place but has some decent form in the bag this season off a similar mark to tomorrows and I can see her going well under her experienced French rider. PROCLAIM has got a race in his but I think the ground should prove too soft for him and I am not overly keen of his allotted rider.

SHORTLIST

NOVERRE TO GO
TROPICAL PARADISE

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