August 12 / 13.35 Ascot

13.35

Good To Soft

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
View Course
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 26-391 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Smart as 2yo on turf, particularly when runner-up in good 6f Listed race; this season did not get off to a good start but he looked more his old self when dropped to 5f in first-time hood (retained) at Doncaster in July (good to firm), moving smoothly past his rivals to win neatly; up 7lb in a better race but there is more to come from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Rogue Lightning

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Globetrotting gelding whose last win came in Qatar (6f, good) in February 2025 when Washington Heights was second; has run respectably on his two outings this season, fourth in French Group 3 (5f, soft) on latest; should be thereabouts under optimum conditions.

11/2

9th

5

(10)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Rogue Lightning

9st 8lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tom Clover

Has shown very useful form on home soil and internationally, including a success in Qatar and close second in US Grade 2 this year; below par last time and faces a stiffer assignment on this return to British racing; gained last domestic win in 2023.

40/1

7th

8

(6)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Rogue Lightning

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Acts on good to firm and good to soft; generally progressive 2023 campaign culminated in close fifth in the Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp; best effort this term when second to Starlust at York last time; may resume his improvement with hood now reapplied (3-5 in this headgear); interesting.

20/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 082801 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Big Ripon win for previous yard last August; blows hot and cold but his barnstorming win for new yard over C&D 14 days ago (good; has won on most surfaces) was a big step up from most of his form this year; up 8lb to career-high mark but has hit form at the right time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

(14)

16th Jun 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Intrinsic Bond

9st 6lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Wigham

led but pestered

10/1

7th

4

(11)

8th Jun 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Haydock

Intrinsic Bond

9st 6lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Michael Wigham

His form tailed off towards end of last year but he may have benefited from a break and is well handicapped judged on his form last July-September, when he made an excellent start for his new yard; watch the betting.

10/1

4th

3

(3)

16th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:09 Newcastle (AW)

Intrinsic Bond

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Michael Wigham

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, disputing second over 1f out, weakened final 110yds

9/2

18/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 130108 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won on good to soft, good to firm and good; C&D winner in October who has improved in 2023 and looked good when winning at Goodwood in May and Sandown in July; had some excuses dotted in and around (probably saw more daylight than ideal at Goodwood last week) and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Dream Composer

9st 3lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Regained the winning thread at Ripon (5f, good) on stable/seasonal debut when 5lb lower and rider took off 7lb; this seems a harder task but he remains well treated on peak form and is a dual winner at Goodwood; enters calculations.

9/2

1st

5

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Dream Composer

8st 10lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Ten-time winner down the years for James Evans; drew a blank in 2025 but runner-up twice off marks in the 90s, including reappearance, so well treated starting out for Tony Carroll (same owners); interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 9-0105 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Has won on extremes of going and it was soft when first past the post in the Portland (about 5f) at Doncaster last September; still ahead of his mark when winning at York in May (5f, good to firm) but soon pushed along when only fifth of eight in a 5f Listed race there in July; drawn on the flank but solid chance if able to reproduce best handicap form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(18)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Chipstead

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Roger Teal

Eight-time winner and also first past the post in this race in 2022 (demoted to second after causing interference); well treated if retaining all his ability but he was tailed off in the Shergar Cup on his reappearance after a long absence, having hit his head on the stalls; risky.

40/1

10th

4

(5)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Chipstead

9st 9lb

J: Dario Di Tocco

T: Roger Teal

Eight-time winner, not seen since finishing tenth in the Wokingham here in June 2024 (subsequently gelded); has run some good races at Ascot, including when fourth in this event two years ago, and he's well treated if retaining all his ability, but looks a risky proposition after such a long absence.

20/1

10th

18

(21)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Chipstead

9st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Roger Teal

His most recent wins were 6f on AW but he tends to flag over this trip on turf and his stride shortened in this race 12 months ago; on a more favourable mark now but others should find greater reserves in the later stages.

33/1

25/1

Form: 2812-8 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Suited by good or quicker ground; superb sprinter over the years and his close second to an unexposed one in this race last year showed what could still be done; however, he was beaten a very long way on his belated return in July (AW) which makes it hard to recommend him today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(6)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Judicial

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Julie Camacho

taken down early

25/1

8th

2

(1)

1st Jul 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

12:55 Newcastle (AW)

Judicial

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Julie Camacho

Veteran who was gaining his 18th career win when landing a 5f conditions event at Beverley last September; good second in a Listed event at Lingfield when last seen in November; has gone well after a break in the past.

12/1

Form: 499502 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Had excuses on different counts this year and was best of the rest when chasing home a course specialist at Goodwood 11 days ago (5f, good to soft; suited by good and quicker); dropped 2lb but debatable how well treated he is and both handicap wins have come on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

(9)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Existent

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Stuart Williams

Ended a lengthy losing run at Southwell in January and posted a respectable effort at Newmarket (5f, good) last month; however, he was down the field at Ascot (5f, good to firm) 12 days ago and is now just 1-46 on turf; others preferred.

20/1

14th

15

(16)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Existent

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Stuart Williams

Ended a lengthy losing run at Southwell in January and he is just 1lb higher today; solid effort at Newmarket 17 days ago when not ideally positioned; each-way claims at a track where he has run well in much better races than this one.

12/1

4th

8

(6)

14th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Newmarket

Existent

8st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Stuart Williams

Close call in a Group 3 here in 2022 and deserves so much better than his very modest turf strike-rate, given how many fine races he continues to run in defeat, such as when going down narrowly to both Rosario and Regal Envoy on different 5f runs (good and good to firm) last May; some cold comfort that he won on AW in January but tough to support for the win.

10/1

5/1

Form: 179-00 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Magnificent record here and won this race in 2018 and 2021; however, he hasn't beaten a rival in his two runs this year, in a Group 3 and the Wokingham here (twice in the frame in earlier runnings) and is an unknown quantity at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

2nd Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Beverley

Tis Marvellous

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Clive Cox

in touch with leaders

6/1

7th

3

(12)

12th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Tis Marvellous

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Clive Cox

Magnificent record here and won this race in 2018 and 2021; however, he hasn't beaten a rival in his two runs this year, in a Group 3 and the Wokingham here (twice in the frame in earlier runnings) and is an unknown quantity at present.

5/1

27th

5

(3)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Tis Marvellous

9st 7lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Clive Cox

Had many happy days here, winning four at 5f (on a variety of ground) and beaten about 1l in this race in 2018 and 2019; well held on reappearance in a Group 3 but has more going for him back on this track; regular rider Adam Kirby switches to Summerghand but Kevin Stott is 1-1 on him.

28/1

Form: -84382 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Consecutive 5f wins on AW towards the end of 2022; usually leads but got to the front later than usual at the Curragh last month (5f, good) and denied only on the line in a blanket finish; more needed this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(7)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Robert Cowell

Prominent racer; won at Lingfield (5f, AW) in January on second start since returning to this stable and he went close over that same C&D next time; ran creditably back on turf at Nottingham (5f, good) 17 days ago but he has a better strike-rate on the AW (1-24 on turf).

10/1

6th

6

(4)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 8y

Class 3

16:25 Nottingham

Michaelas Boy

9st 5lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Has a better strike-rate on AW than on turf and it's four years since his sole success in this sphere; not the percentage call in this first grass attempt since last August.

12/1

Form: 110-60 D

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Front-runs; suited by good or quicker ground; five wins at 5f in 2022, the latest in a Listed event, but he hasn't done himself justice in either start this season and had wind surgery since last seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(5)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Tees Spirit

9st 1lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Adrian Nicholls

Capable 5f performer on his day but has not made the frame in six runs this year; a slow start meant he couldn't adopt his usual front-running tactics at York five weeks ago, and his mark is tumbling, but he's risky.

20/1

19th

4

(18)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 89y

Class 2

13:50 York

Tees Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Adrian Nicholls

Smart front-runner on his day; the handicapper took a dim view of his Beverley win last September and he has found it tough going this time around, including at Redcar 11 days ago after a wind op; he is well handicapped again now though and should have a big run in him if his high draw proves no hindrance.

40/1

6/1

Form: 484-13 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has often run well over C&D without winning and did so again, albeit never seriously threatening, when third to Intrinsic Bond 14 days ago (good); weights turnaround offers hope and he has less to prove than some.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

4th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:15 Beverley

Bond Chairman

9st 10lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Wins both came first time out but he ran poorly for his new yard on comeback five weeks ago, having struggled during a limited campaign last year; often pulls hard and has plenty to prove now.

8/1

11

(4)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Bond Chairman

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Capable of smart handicap form in 2022 and 2023 (RPR 102); ended 2023 tamely though and no sign of a revival in three runs last year; not a solid option but it's possible a change of stable could have freshened him up and he's thrown in if that's the case.

16/1

11

(4)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Bond Chairman

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Geoff Oldroyd

Capable of smart handicap form in 2022 and 2023 (RPR 102); ended 2023 tamely though and no sign of a revival in three runs last year; not a solid option but it's possible a change of stable could have freshened him up and he's thrown in if that's the case.

16/1

Non-runners

Tabdeed, Acklam Express

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.30
Straight Forecast £44.89
Tricast £173.10
Trifecta £220.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Existent

SPOTLIGHT:

Rogue Lightning

The Times:

Michaela's Boy

NEWMARKET:

Intrinsic Bond

Telegraph:

Tis Marvellous

POSTDATA:

Bond Chairman

LAMBOURN:

Chipstead

The Guardian:

Tees Spirit

D Express:

Rogue Lightning

Daily Record:

Michaela's Boy

TOPSPEED:

Existent

The Sun:

Existent

The Star:

Existent

Daily Mirror:

Intrinsic Bond

Daily Mail:

Tis Marvellous