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13:35 Ascot
The opening race on ITV on Shergar Cup day is a classified stakes race for horses rated up to 90.
Orbaan will come into this contest as a clear favourite following his great effort at Glorious Goodwood last week. He has incurred a penalty for that success but he still looks very appealing based on some of his form back in 2020.
Epsom Faithfull looks the main danger to the favourite, having scored at Ascot last time out to make it four wins on the year for him. The form of that race perhaps isn’t working out so well though as the second and third have both put in poor efforts since.
The improving Gweedore has a solid each way chance under star Canadian jockey Emma Jayne Wilson and Stone Solider could also be well in the mix if translating his all-weather form over to the turf.
This race does revolve around Orbaan though, who could be a class apart from his rivals here, and I am selecting him to take the prize.
ORBAAN (WIN)
written by Tom Bates
14:10 Ascot
This Shergar Cup handicap dash over five furlongs represents a drop in class for Arecibo. He has been mixing it with higher grade horses than this. Top weight won’t be an issue for this big lad, however things need to drop right for him, and a furious pace that suits is not guaranteed.
Manaccan is the only three year old in here. He looks progressive. He has some solid form to his name, particularly over this course and distance. He looks a solid place option.
Dubai Station looks value at double figure odds (at time of writing) to grab a place at least. He ran a respectable race in the Wokingham, where the sixth furlong seemed to much. Back over five with Kieran Shoemark on board, who rides this track well, looks the way to go.
DUBAI STATION (E/W)
written by Matt Polley
14:25 Haydock
Saeed Bin Suroor saddled the winner of this two years ago and looks to have strong claims with his, Electrical Storm, this time around. Quite lightly raced for a five-year-old, he got right back on track when returning from an eighteen-month hiatus when winning at York. Third since at Sandown, over ten furlongs, one would struggle to write him off today and this drop in trip looks almost certain to suit.
Mr McCann won three times as a two-year-old and was very impressive in doing so at this course and later at Epsom. Disappointing so far at three, he arrives here with questions to answer although if returning to his best he would take some pegging back, and a big run could be on the cards.
La Trinidad was bitterly disappointing when third of four at his beloved York, perhaps unsuited by the muddling pace that day, the decision of his connections to call on the cheek-pieces could liven him up though he does seem to prefer York.
Dutch Decoy arrives in good form and his last three wins have all come in races with seven or less runners, twice a winner last month and a good fourth at Goodwood last time, he looks as trustworthy as any to give his running although you do wonder quite how many times they can go to the well with him.
Young Fire has threatened to get his head back in front a few times this season, however, he is beginning to look a tricky customer and his fourth here three starts back was most disappointing. Well suited to soft ground and a strong pace, there is every chance he will have this run to suit though he might be better over seven furlongs and this is no easy task regardless.
Fame And Aclaim is another to consider but this probably revolves around what Mr McCann does and so a chance is taken on Hugo Palmer's three-year-old bouncing back to form.
MR MCCANN (WIN)
written by Chris Connolly 14:45 Ascot
The Shergar Stayers Cup sees, Super Superjack looking for a bit of redemption after he was unlucky but also probably wasn't given the best ride at Goodwood last weekend and will surely be in contention today. Currently the market favourite has a weight rise to contend with this time compared to last weekend.
Red Force One is a reserve (At the time of writing) But if he gets in, he will have a good chance being on a roll looking for a four timer. He hasn't been out the top 3 in his last 6 runs a consistent horse. But will be weighted to go well in this given this is a step up in class to what he has raced previously.
Another consistent performer Thorne Hall who has a number of placed efforts in recent times. Is upped in trip today which may benefit him.
Rock Eagle is another who is up there in the market but has top weight to contend here with. Make My Day is still a maiden after 13 races so difficult to see him being involved
It's a wide-open race I believe but I am going to take my chance with Island Brave he finished 4th in this race last year and has course and distance form here. Hasn't really seen to great effect so far this season. But he is also lower in the weights by a couple of pounds than when he raced in this last year. I hoping a return to Ascot on similar conditions will give him a competitive chance.
At a near double figure price at the time of writing Island Brave holds a bit of each way value in my opinion. With some bookies paying 4 places here is worth a go
ISLAND BRAVE (E/W)
written by Luke Tucker
15:00 Haydock
Royal Champion may well be four years old but he’s still quite lightly raced. He won his sole start as a two year-old but didn’t enjoy the best thee year-old season. He was beaten when favourite in his first race and was down the field in the Dante. He had excuses on his return in the Doncaster Mile but got back to winning ways when stepping up in trip at Epsom. It’s possible that he might be getting back on track but he might have been treated well in handicap company. He faces a stiffer task today.
A competitive Group Three, where you can make a case for the majority of the runners. Anmaat progressed nicely as a three year-old, with that particular season culminating in a second placed finish in the Cambridgeshire Handicap. Last time out, he won the John Smith’s Cup at York, on his four year-old debut. He has form against Intellogent from that race and has potential to improve further down the line. The big question is whether he will still be able to maintain the same level of improvement now he’s stepping up into Group company.
Grocer Jack was a cut above the rest at Newbury on his last start, scooting clear to win by a decisive nine lengths. He has a good advantage on the ratings compared to his rivals and carrying level weights does work into his favour. His European form behind the Arc winner, Torquator Tasso, is sublime and he proved his credentials on British turf at Newbury last time out. He stands a very good chance at landing this Group Three.
GROCER JACK (WIN)
written by Kieran McHugh
15:20 Ascot This handicap event over the classic distance is set to be a very tight affair with many runners here holding very good chances. Charging Thunder is looking for a hat-trick for David O’Meara. He is improving very fast but although he has won over a mile and half, the drop down in distance doesn’t look the most obvious move for him. Pride Of Priory is also seeking his third win on the bounce having won his last two on the all weather. Though he has won on turf there is a slight question of whether he may be better suited by those conditions at this level though. My selection here will be State Of Bliss. He looked very well handicapped when winning at Ripon in the spring. He hasn’t really kicked on from there but the Johnston team are in much better form now over the past few weeks and this course and distance winner looks very overpriced with Frankie Dettori booked. STATE OF BLISS (E/W) written by Tom Bates
15:40 Newmarket
Sweet Solera Group 3 over seven furlongs for fillies is the feature race on the card.
Some progressive two year old fillies line up here, including Lakota Sioux who ran a nice race in the Chesham. She’s short enough in the market, considering there’s some mixed messages in her form, and maybe a hint of temperament. She’s overlooked.
Alseyoob is a good looking type who beat a promising field on debut at HQ. She was quite impressive given her lack of experience. She will certainly feature.
Novakai looks a bit of a standout here. She certainly fits into the “could be anything” bracket after bolting up in what was a modest maiden at Doncaster. The form may look suspect for now, but it was the manner of the victory that was eye catching. Add that to her pedigree which has plenty of stamina, her turn of foot was decent when the penny dropped. She should take this on her way to better things.
NOVAKAI (WIN)
written by Matt Polley
15:55 Ascot
Montassib was last seen finishing an honourable fourth in the ultra-competitive Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last month, building on what has already been a fruitful campaign with two victories gained earlier in the season. He’s partnered with jockey Danny Tudhope who was in the saddle for his debut victory but looks a short enough price given he’s yet to prove himself over a mile.
Isla Kai was perhaps a shade disappointing at York when last seen, going off as 2/1 favourite but only managing a fourth-placed finish having raced a little keenly. She is a prior course and distance winner and has the benefit of Frankie Dettori in the saddle today, however all career wins have come on soft or good-to-soft ground so may be best watched unless there are any rain showers pre-race.
At an each-way price our selection is Via Serendipity who has already posted two prior course and distance victories, both of which came when contesting Shergar Cup races. He will need to improve on his last couple of runs but a victory at Sandown in June suggests he is still more than capable on his day and a return to a competition he has done well at previously could see a return to form.
VIA SERENDIPITY (E/W)
written by Dean Kilbryde
16:15 Curragh
Despite the majority of the attention being focused on the unique spectacle taking place at Ascot this Saturday it's perhaps easy to forget there's top-class Group 1 action from The Curragh. The best of the Irish 2 year old colts have to compete with two English raiders including current favourite Bradsell. Archie Watson's youngster is the only runner in the six strong field who has their 100% unbeaten record intact.
Although perhaps a tad unfair on half of today's competitors, which includes a duo of former course and distance winners, I can only make a feasible case for the top three in the market.
The aforementioned favourite Bradsell deserves his spot at the head of the betting and rightly so given his form to date, which boasts a victory over the other English competitor, Persian Force. I expect Richard Hannon's charge to potentially go closer this afternoon but, although the form may well be reversed, I don't expect it to be likely and find myself siding with the unbeaten runner.
It'll be foolish to discount the other Royal Ascot victor Big Little Bear who seems to be improving from strength to strength with every run so far and in a major race here in their native Ireland any runner that Ballydoyle sends out demands upmost respect. The most likely to push the favourite close and shouldn't be outside of the top two. BRADSELL (WIN)
written by Rory Paddock
16:30 Ascot
Franz Strauss is the Gosden charge for the Shergar Cup Classic, ridden by team Europe’s Spanish star José-Luis Martinez. He’s one of the highest rated in this race, given his form in the Classic Trial, At Sandown behind Westover and West Wind Blows, at Nottingham. He has good form but his latest run was arguably one of his best. The only problem is that it came over a mile and six furlongs at Sandown, so this is a backwards step. He will need to find more to win today.
Hamaki is the mount of Jamie Spencer for Great Britain and Ireland for the in form William Haggas stable. He ended his three year-old campaign on a slight no show, after racking up two wins in a row. He was third on his first start this year, at Sandown, when he was a tad unlucky during the running. He duly obliged at Haydock, last time out, when upped to a mile and two on soft ground. He’s up in trip again but under course specialist, Spencer, he cannot be discounted.
Berkshire Breeze is down in trip today after being a narrow second at this course, last time out. He’s been placed in five of his six starts and is desperately unlucky not to have found the winner’s enclosure. He’s ran consistently well and has some nice form, not being far behind Secret State, who looks to have a promising future ahead of him. He was ridden well by Hayley Turner on his last start, so hopefully the equally as talented Joanna Mason can fly the flag for the girls today.
BERKSHIRE BREEZE (WIN)
written by Kieran McHugh
17:05 Ascot
Admiral D had been rather disappointing since joining the Richard Fahey stable though he rather put any doubts as to whether he had trained on to bed when a fine second at Newmarket last time and this represents a good opportunity to get back into the winners enclosure.
Razeyna started her career winning a maiden over seven furlongs at Newbury and looked sure to appreciate further in time, second the next twice, she was dropped back to six furlongs at Carlisle last time and perhaps surpisingly, she appeared to relish the sprinting test when winning comfortably. Clearly unexposed and likely to have a decent clip to aim at, she could go very close once more and her yard are going well.
Spangled Mac has won his last four races and is impossible to dismiss, Nicola Currie looks a positive booking for the George Boughey inmate and respect is afforded. Adaay In Asia and Tolstoy are others to arrive in good heart and first reserve, Conflict, would be interesting if getting in but a chance will be taken on Admiral D proving up to the task despite the hunch he may be better on slightly softer ground.
ADMIRAL D (WIN)
written by Chris Connolly