August 10 / 14.10 Ascot

14.10

Good

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 1m 7f 209y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.40

Form: /43/76 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Did well as 3yo, 4yo and 5yo but ran only twice in 2022 and absent for 556 days prior to this season; has shown that plenty of ability remains in both starts this year, admittedly in a steadily run race last time but he's creeping down the weights and not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

10th Aug 2024

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Ranch Hand

9st 11lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Andrew Balding

Did well as 3yo, 4yo and 5yo but ran only twice in 2022 and absent for 556 days prior to this season; has shown that plenty of ability remains in both starts this year, admittedly in a steadily run race last time but he's creeping down the weights and not dismissed.

8/1

6th

4

(2)

20th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Ranch Hand

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Did very well in his first three seasons but ran only twice in 2022 (creditably on second occasion) and absent for 556 days prior to his seventh of eight at Goodwood (made most) this May; 11lb below his peak mark.

20/1

7th

1

(7)

25th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Goodwood

Ranch Hand

9st 9lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

soon led at steady pace, increased tempo from 4f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 36/609

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 6yo (went well there in the mud) who missed 2023; reappearance showed plenty of ability but he suffered in the early scrum at Royal Ascot (50-1) and weakened right out of it at Newmarket July festival (16-1); cheekpieces last two starts; stamina is not cast-iron but he is down the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

11th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Beamish

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

0-8 for current yard; has a good chance on best turf form but failed to reproduce it in C&D contest (behind a few of these rivals) three weeks ago on AW debut; something to prove.

14/1

8th

1

(9)

11th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Beamish

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

0-8 for current yard; has a good chance on best turf form but failed to reproduce it in C&D contest (behind a few of these rivals) three weeks ago on AW debut; something to prove.

14/1

5th

2

(4)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Beamish

10st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Quite highly tried after winning first three starts in Ireland; uncompetitive in Britain bar running well in Shergar Cup contest in August; probably found 1m4f to be an inadequate test 11 days ago mind; rather watch AW debut.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.70

Form: 00-909 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
No win since Royal Ascot 2019; still a plucky stalwart of some major staying races last term (third in this too) but he's now a 10yo and failed to fire this year at Royal Ascot, where he previously had a superb record; down to another career-low mark, following his ninth of 18 at Goodwood eight days ago, but others have to be preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(1)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

The Grand Visir

9st 12lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

midfield, outpaced over 3f out, kept on but not pace to challenge

14/1

4th

5

(1)

6th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:13 Nottingham

The Grand Visir

9st 12lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

midfield

14/1

Form: 903975

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Missed most of 2023 and has not been near his peak this season, albeit third at Goodwood (2m) in June and disputing the lead 2f out when he tried 2m4f there (finished fifth of 18) eight days ago; 13lb lower than on reappearance and has each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

5

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Spirit Mixer

9st 4lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Beat Dancing In Paris by a neck to win this race last year off 6lb lower; also won at Chester in September and two of his three starts this term have been creditable, so he's in the each-way picture.

14/1

10th

5

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Spirit Mixer

9st 1lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

One of three for the yard; won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) last June and has a 4-7 record at Chester, although his two performances in this race were muted (from double-figure draws); reappearance six weeks ago matched his best 2025 form but a bit extra will be needed.

14/1

3rd

3

(4)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Spirit Mixer

9st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last June and bagged a second valuable 2m handicap success of the year at Chester in September; however, disappointing in this race in 2024 on his only race at Kempton and this stage of the season may not be the time to catch him.

7/1

Form: 5-1900 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for a 2m win on New Year's Day at Newcastle (AW); has good chance on that performance but below form all three starts since and he hardly went a yard in the Northumberland Plate back at Newcastle last time; they sometimes bounce back for this yard but that Plate run was pretty off-putting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

16lb below his last winning mark, but losing run now up to 15; might get more of a pace to run at than when fifth of nine over C&D last time, but others have more to recommend them; stable also runs Simiyann.

11/4

5th

9

(9)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

8st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Handicapper has been relenting and he showed a lot more with third of 14 in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (about 2m, Tapeta; 25-1) one week ago; a repeat of that puts him bang there; 2lb well in.

11/2

7

(3)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zealandia

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ian Williams

Has got himself well handicapped for good reason and his recent thirds were none too threatening; doubts remain; another tweak on the headgear front.

20/1

Form: 4-1076

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Easily made all at Newmarket (1m4f, good; 4lb higher today) in May; however, all three starts since (Royal Ascot, Newmarket and Ripon) have been pretty disappointing; sole attempt at 2m (stays 1m6f) was a respectable show on AW last October; whether he stays or not, a revival is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(7)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

16:37 Chester

Fox Journey

9st 9lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Two good runs for new stable this season, the latter a third of 17 at York (1m4f, good) last month; should be fine back at 2m and can cope with ground slower than good; high on the list.

6/1

3rd

9

(8)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Fox Journey

9st 3lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No win since May 2024 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute (below form last year for Kevin Ryan) but second of 14 off almost a career-low mark at Musselburgh (1m4f, good; under Zak Wheatley) one month ago was easily his most competitive show since; back up 2lb and needs to build on that revival.

13/2

2nd

5

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 104y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Fox Journey

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

No win since May 2024 when trained by Sir Michael Stoute; below form last year for Kevin Ryan, followed by a 22,000gns sale in October; he's 23lb below his peak mark but the tide needs to turn.

25/1

Form: -90304

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Beaten a head over 1m4f at this meeting last year; last 15 races have gone by without a win and this season he's been near his best form only once, three starts back; stays 1m6f/14.5f (usually seen over shorter) and now tries 2m for the first time; 5lb lower than on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

12th Jul 2026

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:16 Perth

Struth

10st 2lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Former smart Flat horse who is 0-6 over hurdles and was beaten a little under 10l on handicap debut here a month ago; he was boxing on over 2m and this longer trip could bring him on (stayed well on the Flat).

8/1

6th

1

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

14:42 Perth

Struth

11st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but well held when fifth on handicap hurdle debut at Kelso (2m2f, good; first-time tongue-tie) in April and showed no significant improvement in a subsequent C&D maiden; needs to up his game.

20/1

6th

8

14th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 4

13:58 Perth

Struth

11st 5lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful on the Flat in his prime but has yet to better fair form over hurdles, weakening into a well-held fifth on 2m2f Kelso handicap debut in this sphere 24 days ago; might have needed that after a break but he's still hard to make a good case for.

20/1

Form: 0-9654

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 12lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
2022 was her year when winning five handicaps at Hamilton and a Listed race at Abu Dhabi; now on a losing run, during which she's failed to manage a place, but her 50-1 fourth of nine from out the back over C&D (going beyond 1m6f for first time) 15 days ago helps to show that all hope may not be lost given that she has her lowest mark for two years.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(3)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Wickywickywheels

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time turf winner, who ran into some trouble when a creditable second at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last month; this is a deeper race but she's unexposed on AW and has not had many chances at this trip; respected.

13/2

2nd

4

(3)

20th Dec 2024

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

15:27 Southwell (AW)

Wickywickywheels

10st 0lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Lucinda Russell

Six-time turf winner, who ran into some trouble when a creditable second at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last month; this is a deeper race but she's unexposed on AW and has not had many chances at this trip; respected.

13/2

2nd

3

(4)

5th Nov 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

14:40 Newcastle (AW)

Wickywickywheels

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

0-7 and generally disappointing on turf for new stable this year; needs to up her game to land this prize and her only previous AW experience was a down-the-field finish on Dundalk's Polytrack in 2021.

9/1

Form: 987160

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Career-low mark when he won on the nod at Goodwood (1m6f, good; 3lb higher today) in May; has a mixed record in 2023 and 2024, sent off 40-1 when only 11th of 13 back at Goodwood last Saturday, but stepping back up in trip (he went up to 15.5f in his French days) is worth a go and he is capable of an each-way return if on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Newmarket (July)

Tides Of War

9st 10lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Last-gasp win under Taryn Langley in a warm race at Lingfield (2m, AW) on Good Friday; bumped into a well-handicapped rival at Goodwood (2m, good) since and respected off the same mark for last year's winning yard.

9/4

2nd

1

(3)

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:40 Goodwood

Tides Of War

9st 12lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: David Simcock

Won off 2lb higher at Goodwood (1m6f, good) last May, form which he's failed to match since but his last-gasp win under Taryn Langley in a warm race at Lingfield (2m, AW) 15 days ago was a healthy step back in the right direction; back up 4lb but back in serious calculations.

3/1

Form: 111-07

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Five races in France last year, winning with varied tactics on last three (1m3f/1m7f, soft); fetched 250,000euros in November; last of 13 here (1m4f) on reappearance in July but his Goodwood performance (1m6f, good to firm; tongue-tie back) one week ago was a lot better and gives significant hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:08 Kempton (AW)

Sheradann

9st 6lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

Not the most consistent but won off this mark over C&D in October and ran well at Lingfield on penultimate outing; a bit below form when hooded first time 15 days ago in a small field; player if it's one of his good days.

25/1

4th

3

(4)

13th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 3

16:25 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sheradann

9st 7lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Not the most consistent but won off 1lb lower mark at Kempton (2m) in October; returned to form when third of eight at Lingfield (2m) two weeks ago; first-time hood now goes on and another to consider.

9/4

3rd

6

(9)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Sheradann

8st 13lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ian Williams

Saw off reopposing stablemate Enemy when successful over 2m at Kempton in October but down the field in a series final there at the beginning of December and eased off after hanging left under pressure at Newcastle last month; hard to know what to expect.

18/1

Non-runners

Samui

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £79.10
Straight Forecast £79.44
Tricast £839.34
Trifecta £789.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Spirit Mixer

SPOTLIGHT:

Sheradann

Telegraph:

Fox Journey

RP RATINGS:

Struth

POSTDATA:

Ranch Hand

Daily Mail:

Beamish

The Star:

Tides Of War

The Times:

Sheradann

Daily Mirror:

Fox Journey

D Express:

Struth

The Guardian:

Spirit Mixer

Daily Record:

Spirit Mixer

The Sun:

Ranch Hand