August 08 / 15.55 Ascot

15.55

Good To Firm

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £41803
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 3
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-1394

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
An improver this season, with his only blip coming on heavy ground in the Italian Derby; got messed about when fourth of the six runners in a 1m2f handicap at Newmarket a month ago (good to firm); not yet exposed and Ryan Moore rides.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Archers Bay

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Marco Botti

An improver this season, with his only blip coming on heavy ground in the Italian Derby; got messed about when fourth of the six runners in a 1m2f handicap at Newmarket a month ago (good to firm); not yet exposed and Ryan Moore rides.

5/2

4th

3

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket (July)

Archers Bay

9st 2lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Improved form over 1m2f at the other Newmarket track on his first two starts this season, winning a handicap (on good) and third of five in a Listed race (good to firm); the Derby Italiano on heavy ground last time did not work out but he returns to a handicap on what looks a pretty good mark.

8/1

3rd

2

(5)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Archers Bay

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Marco Botti

Ex-Ballydoyle colt who got off the mark in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) on his stable debut in a Wolverhampton novice (9.4f, AW) in December and followed up over this C&D (good) 16 days ago on his first handicap start; could continue to progress but does need another step forward today.

12/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 213134 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
This year's wins at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and Thirsk (1m4f, good) were from the front; last two defeats suggest his progress may have levelled out, for all that he was tried over 1m6f both times; probably needs his best yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(8)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

King Of Berkshire

9st 3lb

J: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire

T: Andrew Balding

This year's wins at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and Thirsk (1m4f, good) were from the front; last two defeats suggest his progress may have levelled out, for all that he was tried over 1m6f both times; probably needs his best yet.

16/1

4th

6

(4)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

King Of Berkshire

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Won from the front in handicaps at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) in April and Thirsk (1m4f, good) in June; only third when 8-13 for a four-runner race at Sandown (upped to 1m6f, good) on latest outing but he was close up and that represented further progress in form terms; a more strongly run race at the trip would probably suit him.

3/1

3rd

1

(3)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

17:08 Sandown

King Of Berkshire

10st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Back on the up with a second all-the-way win of the year at Thirsk (1m4f, good) last Friday; has a likeable way of going about things and this longer trip could suit him even better; leading claims under a 6lb penalty.

4/9

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 1-232P

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Competitive in both his handicaps (1m4f) for George Boughey and left that yard for £170,000; likely to win races for Ian Williams, but he was pulled up after never going at Goodwood only ten days ago (1m4f, good to firm; 25-1) and headgear is soon turned to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Baltic Fleet

9st 10lb

J: Jerry Chau

T: Ian Williams

Competitive in both his handicaps (1m4f) for George Boughey and left that yard for £170,000; likely to win races for Ian Williams, but he was pulled up after never going at Goodwood only ten days ago (1m4f, good to firm; 25-1) and headgear is soon turned to.

16/1

6

(5)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Baltic Fleet

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Third of 14 on handicap debut at York (1m4f, good) in May and the form of his subsequent second of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) has worked out well; sold out of George Boughey's yard for £170,000 last month and he's in with an each-way shout on this first run for Ian Williams.

20/1

2nd

3

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 3

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Baltic Fleet

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Narrowly landed a 1m1f maiden at Yarmouth last September and he ran to a similar level when second at Bath on his reappearance last month (1m2f, good); gelded prior to his handicap debut at York (1m4f) two weeks ago, a race in which he was never far away but looked a bit awkward under pressure; upped 2lb but not yet exposed; AW debut.

9/4

7/4

Form: 34-111 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Stable has captured two of the last four renewals, and this filly is on a roll after completing a hat-trick over C&D a month ago; that was by the skin of her teeth but the second was an improver and the pair were clear; she probably won that day in spite of the steady gallop; strong contender under Saffie Osborne.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Hoseki

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: William Haggas

Stable has captured two of the last four renewals, and this filly is on a roll after completing a hat-trick over C&D a month ago; that was by the skin of her teeth but the second was an improver and the pair were clear; she probably won that day in spite of the steady gallop; strong contender under Saffie Osborne.

7/4

1st

7

(5)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

16:23 Ascot

Hoseki

8st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: William Haggas

Off the mark on her return when landing a Redcar maiden (good to firm) in May and she made a winning handicap debut at Chester (also about 1m2f, good) one month later; pedigree suggests 1m4f will see this unexposed filly progress again.

6/4

1st

7

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Hoseki

8st 6lb

J: Harry Davies

T: William Haggas

Unexposed; off the mark when beating a subsequent winner in a Redcar maiden last month (1m2f, good to firm); further progress likely; chance on handicap debut.

7/2

Form: 1-9820

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
His nursery win (sole success) was on soft but conditions were good to firm when second to Last Verse in a small field at Chepstow (1m4f), since when he's finished tailed off here after suffering early interference; needs his best form yet even if putting best foot forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Ohara

9st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

His nursery win (sole success) was on soft but conditions were good to firm when second to Last Verse in a small field at Chepstow (1m4f), since when he's finished tailed off here after suffering early interference; needs his best form yet even if putting best foot forward.

16/1

15th

10

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 4

16:10 Ascot

Ohara

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

2yo win was over 1m on soft at a stiff track and he was stepped up to 1m4f when second of four at Chepstow (good to firm) on latest outing, his best show this term; needs to build on that but he saw the trip out very well and could have more in the tank.

7/1

2nd

1

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:37 Chepstow

Ohara

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Won a handicap at Pontefract (1m, soft) in October off a mark 4lb lower than today's but he's been below that level in two starts this year, latest at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago; steps up in trip with stamina to prove.

6/1

Form: -32422

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Irish stable won this two years ago; placed in both his handicaps, the latest when headed late on in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f, soft); suffered another narrow defeat when the standard-setter in a 1m4f maiden at the Curragh (good to firm); hard to call him progressive, but trainer always respected on her forays here and cheekpieces are a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Pierre Grosse

9st 9lb

J: L J Ferraris

T: Mrs John Harrington

Irish stable won this two years ago; placed in both his handicaps, the latest when headed late on in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f, soft); suffered another narrow defeat when the standard-setter in a 1m4f maiden at the Curragh (good to firm); hard to call him progressive, but trainer always respected on her forays here and cheekpieces are a first.

7/1

2nd

4

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Pierre Grosse

9st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Sets the standard on 83 after seven runs; one of his best efforts came in a Down Royal handicap last time (1m5f, soft) when headed late on into second; a repeat of that could see him go close.

5/1

2nd

10

(5)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

16:33 Down Royal

Pierre Grosse

8st 7lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Mrs John Harrington

Not beaten far on his only handicap start; has failed to improve in two more recent attempts in maidens; 2lb wrong, rider claims a useful 5lb.

10/1

25/1

Form: 53-813 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Bought for 20,000gns out of Andrew Balding's yard after winning off 5lb lower at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces); ran okay at Sandown but no more than that in a small field over 1m6f; his new rider will have to navigate from the widest stall.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Last Verse

9st 0lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: Joseph Parr

Bought for 20,000gns out of Andrew Balding's yard after winning off 5lb lower at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces); ran okay at Sandown but no more than that in a small field over 1m6f; his new rider will have to navigate from the widest stall.

25/1

3rd

1

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Sandown

Last Verse

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Joseph Parr

Off the mark at the fifth attempt when making all in first-time cheekpieces off 6lb lower at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm) 26 days ago; has since left Andrew Balding (bought for 20,000gns) and this well-bred gelding steps up in trip for his stable debut.

9/4

1st

3

(4)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

16:37 Chepstow

Last Verse

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Showed ability on his first two starts last year and heavy ground can be blamed for a poor run at Goodwood in September; beat only one rival home on his handicap debut at Lingfield (1m2f, good; first start since being gelded) but that was his reappearance, and his pedigree suggests this longer trip could suit; cheekpieces added.

3/1

Form: 84202

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 127212 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 04-142 BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 476231 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Tai Hang Pegasus

8st 13lb

T: Charlie Fellowes

20/1

1st

6

(2)

6th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 4

16:25 Brighton

Tai Hang Pegasus

9st 1lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Eight-race maiden; second of five in tactical race at Epsom last month and didn't run badly when third of five at Doncaster (also 1m4f, good to firm) nine days later, despite racing too freely, but others in this line-up have more pressing claims.

10/1

3rd

2

(3)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

19:50 Doncaster

Tai Hang Pegasus

9st 7lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: Charlie Fellowes

0-7 but he ran well upped to 1m4f when a staying-on second in an Epsom handicap (good to firm) last week; hit a personal best behind an unexposed rival in that race and he's respected off the same mark.

5/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.60
Straight Forecast £22.16
Tricast £456.11
Trifecta £528.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hoseki

Telegraph:

Pierre Grosse

NEWMARKET:

Archers Bay

LAMBOURN:

Blue Hercules

TOPSPEED:

Level Look

RP RATINGS:

Hoseki

POSTDATA:

Hoseki

The Guardian:

Hoseki

Daily Mail:

Hoseki

The Sun:

Hoseki

The Star:

Hoseki

D Express:

Pierre Grosse

Daily Record:

Pierre Grosse

The Times:

Archers Bay

Daily Mirror:

Archers Bay