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

9

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 20 starts going back to June 2023 but he's shown promise in fifth this spring on his first two starts for this yard, most recently behind a couple of these in a big field at York (6f, good); he continues to edge down the weights and might not be far away.

10/1

5th

14

(1)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 19 starts going back to June 2023 but, following a wind op, he was an encouraging fifth off his reduced mark behind Strike Red on last month's stable and seasonal debut at Leicester (6f, good to firm), where he was short of room late on; could build on that with a big run today.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Russet Gold

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Two 5f wins for Roger Varian but latest was in June 2023 and he was quiet last season; returns for new yard after wind surgery but he has a mixed record when fresh and this is highly competitive; down the list.

10/1

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

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

6th

6

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Quinault

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Front-runner whose 12 wins include a Group 3 at York (7f, good) last June; he was an excellent third of 19 in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot (6f) in October; has since run up to his best in a 5f AW race at Newcastle in January and it will be interesting to see how he gets on back at this trip on turf with his regular hood discarded; ran creditably in 6f Group 3 at Newmarket last time.

8/1

3rd

9

(5)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Quinault

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Very useful front-runner whose strike-rate is 12-32; bagged Group 3 honours at York (7f) last June and a valuable pot at Doha (6f) most recently; unbeaten (4-4) in 6f contests on the Newmarket courses and has shown that he can win in sizeable fields; likely to make a bold bid back here.

9/1

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

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

8th

9

(10)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:55 Newmarket

Washington Heights

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Can lead; won 6f Group 3 here in 2024 but a beaten favourite in this race last year and sole success in 2025 came in a Listed York race (5f, good to firm); below best on recent comeback and a win looks unlikely.

25/1

12th

11

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Washington Heights

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Campaigned mostly over 5f last year, bagging Listed honours at York in July prior to facing stiffer tasks returned to Group 1 level; effective at 6f in the past and produced his peak RPR when landing this prize (on good ground) in 2024; not ruled out.

8/1

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

8

(3)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Alpha Capture

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Fell

Form for new yard this term comprises two placed efforts over 1m and a running-on sixth over 7f; useful over 6f early in career but isn't crying out for the return to this trip.

7/1

6th

12

(11)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:23 Thirsk

Alpha Capture

8st 13lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Roger Fell

Smart 2yo for Wiliam Haggas; won a Killarney handicap in July 2024 when trained by Willie Mullins; two good runs for new yard this spring, third at Newcastle and Pontefract (both 1m), and likely to be in the shake up.

6/1

3rd

1

(3)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 6y

Class 5

14:57 Pontefract

Alpha Capture

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Roger Fell

Listed winner for William Haggas and handicap scorer for Willie Mullins; close third at Newcastle (1m, AW) on stable/seasonal debut; possibilities off same mark back on turf.

4/1

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

3rd

4

(1)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Hes A Monster

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

4-4 on AW when trained by Archie Watson, including a 7f handicap win at Chelmsford off a 3lb higher mark; 2024 was disappointing and he was also well held on his reappearance in Qatar in January; should be of more interest back on AW starting out for a new stable.

40/1

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