August 12 / 16.30 Ascot

16.30

Good To Soft

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 138311 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Drop back to 6f saw him win well at Yarmouth (good to soft) last month and he made light of the heavy ground at Haydock on Sunday, drawing clear with another in-form sprinter; looks thrown in under a 3lb penalty and, although this is a stronger race, he can complete the hat-trick.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(23)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Dark Trooper

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: A De Mieulle

Progressive 3yo for Ed Walker, reeling off a four-timer before running well in an Ascot Group 3 last October; didn't fire in Qatar earlier this year but he won well at Saint-Cloud in May (6f, soft) and turned in another fine handicap effort when second of 25 in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm), making his challenge on the opposite side of the track to the winner; 3lb higher and this sharper track is not sure to play to his strengths.

6/1

2nd

10

(24)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Dark Trooper

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: A De Mieulle

Found his trip when back at 6f in the second half of 2023, indifferent to the state of the ground when winning all four handicaps, including over C&D on good to firm; has left Ed Walker since but was at least as good as ever when winning a 6f conditions race at Saint-Cloud (soft) in May; has cards to play back here.

7/1

6th

7

(9)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Dark Trooper

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

Acts on any ground; progressive 3yo who has completed a handicap four-timer since being dropped back to 6f and gained the last two wins at this venue; overall record is now 6-13; brings a very attractive profile to this first Group attempt and being 2-2 at Ascot is a bonus.

11/2

14/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 13-015

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Easy winner of a small-field Class 4 handicap at Redcar in June (5f, good) off 5lb lower; could manage only fifth of six in a Class 2 at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) three weeks ago, albeit not beaten far; return to 6f needs to spark something extra from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(5)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:45 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes off higher marks in the spring; however, his form has gone the wrong way subsequently and he needs to turn things around.

9/1

8th

9

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:55 Ascot

Russet Gold

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Kevin Ryan

Encouraging start for this yard with two fifth-place finishes at Leicester and York (also 6f) in the spring but his last two starts haven't been as promising; nicely treated and he does have form here so a revival isn't out of the question.

14/1

5th

2

(2)

21st Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Pontefract

Russet Gold

9st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Ran well in Listed/Group races in 2024; on a three-year losing spell but his Class 2 form this term for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts; possibilities off current mark back down in grade.

5/1

15/8

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 111111 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 13lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
One of the season's big success stories, winning a lowly 6f handicap on AW in April and making giant strides to win his next five runs, notably hot handicaps at York and Newmarket the last twice; up 7lb since the latest win but that form has already been well advertised; all that improvement came on good or faster, so he could do with the ground drying out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(5)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:19 Newmarket (July)

Quinault

9st 3lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Stuart Williams

12-time winner, including 2024 edition of this race; has a bit to prove after two down-the-field finishes but faced tough task in Group 1 July Cup here last time and he looked as good as ever when creditable third in Group 3 on Rowley Mile here (6f, good) in April; in the shake-up if back on song.

10/1

11th

6

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Quinault

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Multiple winner, most recently when sent over to Qatar in February, but his form has regressed since and this is a difficult task even if a revival materialises; gained his C&D wins at handicap/Listed level; yet to score above Group 3.

33/1

11th

11

(13)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:30 York

Quinault

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner who has a strike-rate of 12-34 overall and 3-4 at York, the most recent course success in 7f Group 3 last June (equally effective at 6f); ties in with some of today's opponents on penultimate effort; removal of usual hood backfired last time; likely to go well.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: -92224

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Yet to win in 2023 but had the misfortune to bump into Shaquille at Newmarket in May and finished behind Quinault on his last three starts; won't mind what the ground does and likely to be in the thick of it again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:15 Beverley

Washington Heights

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Successful in a Carlisle Listed event (5f, good to firm) in May; solid efforts under a penalty twice since; handles soft ground but suspicion he will prove vulnerable giving weight away again.

9/2

8th

1

(7)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:12 York

Washington Heights

9st 4lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Made most to win this race (good to firm) 12 months ago and bounced back to form to beat seven rivals in Listed race at Carlisle six weeks ago; penalised this time but should give it another good go from the front.

6/1

1st

5

(6)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Washington Heights

9st 7lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Close third in Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock 12 months ago and made most to win Listed race at York (5f, good to firm) last summer; well below par all four starts since (short of room in Newmarket Group 3 on latest) but down in grade here and may well bounce back.

5/1

Form: 111475 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Five wins between March and June and she also ran well when fourth at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm); came up short in Group 3 and Listed races the last twice; this is a more realistic assignment and she shouldn't be passed over lightly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

25th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 4

16:55 Doncaster

Radio Goo Goo

9st 12lb

J: Jordan Williams

T: David Evans

in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out

8/1

9th

3

(2)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 15y

Class 3

16:15 Chester

Radio Goo Goo

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: David Evans

prominent, pressed leader over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong

6/1

Form: 137-31 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Well backed on his nursery debut at Newcastle one year ago and won easily; back on the up when readily seeing off his seven rivals at Thirsk last month (6f, good to firm); promise on good to soft; withdrawn having played up in the stalls at Goodwood last week; career-best effort required.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(9)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Zaman Jemil

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: John & Sean Quinn

Newcastle winner (6f, Tapeta) as a 2yo, but losing run up to 14 despite a plummeting mark; plenty to prove after four months off.

10/1

11th

2

(9)

10th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Zaman Jemil

9st 6lb

J: Harry Russell

T: John & Sean Quinn

Newcastle winner (6f, Tapeta) as a 2yo, but losing run up to 14 despite a plummeting mark; plenty to prove after four months off.

10/1

9th

3

(11)

5th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 182y

Class 5

17:13 Carlisle

Zaman Jemil

10st 6lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: John & Sean Quinn

bit short of room soon after start, took keen hold, prominent, weakened inside final furlong

20/1

Form: 3-2707 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Useful as 2yo (best on good to soft) but he has struggled in good handicaps at Newmarket the last twice; dropped 10lb in two starts; blinkers given another go (last of seven when tried in them previously); risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Alpha Capture

10st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Roger Fell

Has done well for this yard, in handicaps from 6f to 1m; he wasn't beaten far in a big field at York two runs ago after hitting some traffic and the winner (favourite) got first run on him when closing fast in a recent claimer at Chester (front two dominated); good chance off this mark back in a handicap, especially with Conor Whiteley taking off 5lb.

5/2

2nd

2

(5)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:22 Chester

Alpha Capture

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Consistent since leaving Willie Mullins, performing well in handicaps from 6f to 1m; York last time wasn't necessarily a backward step as he wasn't beaten all that far in a big field after finding trouble in running; solid chance now into a claimer; first run here.

11/4

20/1

Form: 68-658 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won two fillies' nurseries last summer on good ground; retains ability but her 2023 form needs bettering if she's to shake up the principals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(3)

5th Oct 2023

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Salisbury

Bonny Angel

9st 12lb

J: John Fahy

T: Clive Cox

Couple of good-ground wins as a 2yo; ran respectably in Listed grade on seasonal debut but has failed to build on that effort; addition of hood needs to have positive effect.

16/1

8th

9

(1)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Bonny Angel

9st 5lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Clive Cox

Won two fillies' nurseries last summer on good ground; retains ability but her 2023 form needs bettering if she's to shake up the principals.

20/1

Form: -11616

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Winner of four of his seven starts, most notably a front-running 7f win at Sandown off 8lb lower in June; soft ground may not have been ideal when midfield at Chester four weeks ago (Listed); drops to 6f for the first time but he has plenty of speed and the best could still be to come from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(9)

3rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

16:52 Chester

Hes A Monster

10st 2lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Went close at Newcastle on debut for new yard, taking AW record to 11113; came up well short in the Bunbury Cup since and is only 1-11 on turf; not the percentage call.

14/1

6

(11)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Hes A Monster

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Went close at Newcastle (6f) two weeks ago on debut for new yard, taking AW record to 11113; effective at 7f; only 1-10 on turf and doesn't look the percentage call in this major handicap.

20/1

Form: 317-71 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
The winner of three of his six starts, coming from well back to score at Newcastle six weeks ago (6f, AW); this is a deeper race but the manner of that success marked him down as one who could make his mark in stronger company; still looks feasibly treated despite the 4lb rise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(1)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

16:55 Lingfield (AW)

Batal Dubai

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Jack Morland

Now 2lb lower than when winning a 7f handicap here on New Year's Eve; also ran well at Southwell (6f) in February but his last three runs have been underwhelming; needs a full revival.

12/1

8th

4

(1)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

16:55 Lingfield (AW)

Batal Dubai

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Jack Morland

Now 2lb lower than when winning a 7f handicap here on New Year's Eve; also ran well at Southwell (6f) in February but his last three runs have been underwhelming; needs a full revival.

12/1

8th

3

(7)

17th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:35 Newmarket

Batal Dubai

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jack Morland

Won a 7f AW handicap at Lingfield on New Year's Eve; also ran well at Southwell in February but his last two efforts have been disappointing; lightly raced on turf but fully effective on fast ground; new visor needs to turn things around.

10/1

Non-runners

Celtic Champion, Dream For Gold

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £67.70
Straight Forecast £43.50
Tricast £182.39
Trifecta £456.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

Quinault

SPOTLIGHT:

Dark Trooper

D Express:

Batal Dubai

Daily Record:

Zaman Jemil

LAMBOURN:

Bonny Angel

NEWMARKET:

Quinault

Telegraph:

Quinault

The Guardian:

Quinault

Daily Mail:

Quinault

Daily Mirror:

Quinault

RP RATINGS:

Dark Trooper

TOPSPEED:

Dark Trooper

The Times:

Dark Trooper

The Sun:

Dark Trooper

The Star:

Dark Trooper