August 10 / 15.20 Ascot

15.20

Good

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
View Course
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £1.84
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-341 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a useful 6f AW event on sole 2yo start; good efforts in defeat over 7f on first two starts this year but this stiff 6f suited when he looked better the further he went over C&D (good) in July; has earned this 8lb higher mark after that win and remains one to follow.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(8)

19th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Newbury

Jarraaf

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: Owen Burrows

Progressive last summer, winning two 6f handicaps at Ascot and ending the campaign with a fine second in a Group 3 over the same C&D; promising return at Salisbury and was well backed ahead of his Wokingham bid four weeks ago, only to drop away in the closing stages; versatile groundwise; still early days and new blinkers could give him a lift.

13/2

12th

5

(12)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Jarraaf

9st 8lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Owen Burrows

Well ahead of his mark when winning two C&D handicaps (good and good to firm) last summer and he chased Apollo One home in a Group 3 here on soft in October; caught out for a bit of pace at a crucial stage when turned over at a short price in a Listed Salisbury race on reappearance but he should come on for the run and this thorough test will be ideal; strong claims.

15/2

4th

2

(5)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

18:50 Salisbury

Jarraaf

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Owen Burrows

Improved for the return to 6f last summer, comfortably winning two handicaps at Ascot before a fine second in a Group 3 (soft ground) when last seen 231 days ago; still has low mileage and should make a bold bid for last year's winning stable.

11/4

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 1-6681 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Two 7f wins on AW as 2yo; failed to make a serious mark in handicaps at 1m and 7f this year but he never really looked like giving up his lead when dropped to 6f at Ayr (good to firm) in July; back up 5lb but this stiff 6f shouldn't be a problem and nor should the ground; open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(3)

16th Oct 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Venture Capital

9st 5lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Should be well treated but little to cheer this season; latest fifth of 16 at Doncaster (5f, good) was a bit better but he was subsequently reported to have bled from the nose.

10/1

5th

16

(13)

13th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 3y

Class 3

13:25 Doncaster

Venture Capital

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Twice ran well over C&D (good/soft) in 2024, winning this race on first occasion; thrown in on that form but little to cheer this season, given a wind operation (his second) before penultimate start; latest was at least a step back in the right direction.

25/1

4th

2

(5)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:13 Ripon

Venture Capital

9st 13lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Scored over 5f here last April; without a victory since though and beat only one on the back of a wind operation in 5f Hamilton handicap last time; others appeal more.

11/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: -74991 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
In the frame in Group company as 2yo; promising start for new yard when not beaten far over 5f at the Royal meeting and although he never mustered the pace to get involved at Newmarket since he found plenty for an AW win at Wolverhampton last week; back up 3lb and in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Thunder Blue

8st 7lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Michael Wigham

Capable of fairly useful form but finished last of 18 over C&D in final start for Jamie Osborne; sold for 18,000gns later in October; headgear switch; best watched.

33/1

6

(18)

24th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newbury

Thunder Blue

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Won a heavy-ground handicap at Salisbury last month and backed it up with a good second at Newmarket; below that level at Goodwood 12 days ago and needs a full revival.

20/1

4

(3)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:37 Goodwood

Thunder Blue

9st 4lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Back to winning ways at Salisbury (6f, heavy) last month and second at Newmarket (6f, heavy) since; this in-form C&D winner has solid claims.

8/1

Form: 8-154 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Easy winner from the front at Nottingham (6f, good) on return from wind surgery; the extra furlong was no help next time but he found disappointingly little when fourth of six on handicap debut (6f) at Windsor in June and now has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(10)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Aramram

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Escapes a penalty for his Listed win at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March; his last two runs haven't been his best but there have been mitigating factors; has a course win on his record and he should go well.

16/1

18th

3

(18)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Aramram

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Only seventh in this race 12 months ago when 10lb lower; his improved form this spring has warranted this lofty mark and he ran well in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last month (off 1lb higher), doing best of the far-side group; still looks up against it here.

40/1

6th

3

(9)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Aramram

9st 5lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Listed winner at Doncaster (6f, good to soft) in March before close second in Group 3 Abernant at Newmarket (6f, good); returned to form when first of four in the far-side group in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon (6f, good) three weeks ago; has something to find in today's company but he's 2-3 on soft ground and is not ruled out each-way.

20/1

Form: 146347 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Two 6f AW wins in midwinter (in tongue-tie/blinkers) but he hasn't reproduced a promising yard debut in June in two runs since; hasn't worn aids for this trainer so far but blinkers return today; rather risky.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(2)

13th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Bulldog Drummond

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Patrick Owens

Two 6f AW wins for previous yard last winter but it hasn't been easy since winning for this one at Newmarket in August and, after getting closer at Wolverhampton last month, things never went his way from a wide draw at Southwell; needs more weight off his back.

20/1

11th

5

(12)

24th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Bulldog Drummond

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Patrick Owens

Slipped in the weights and back to form in refitted blinkers at Wolverhampton last time; drawn on the outside this time, though, so has to show that can be backed up.

12/1

11th

5

(12)

24th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Bulldog Drummond

9st 10lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Patrick Owens

Slipped in the weights and back to form in refitted blinkers at Wolverhampton last time; drawn on the outside this time, though, so has to show that can be backed up.

12/1

Form: -13353 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won 6f AW novice in March; useful effort over 6f at Newmarket (good to soft) in July, when despite racing freely and not having much company in the closing stages he kept on well in third of 13; has more to come as a sprinter; possibilities if handling this different ground (unraced on quicker than good).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 5

16:15 Catterick

Imperial Guard

9st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Rattled off an Ayr hat-trick over 7f on fast ground in July; yet to score off a mark this high, and wasn't so good on his last two starts, but good to soft ground probably didn't suit at Thirsk 25 days ago.

14/1

7th

6

(5)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Thirsk

Imperial Guard

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Belatedly exploited his drop down the handicap at Ayr (7f, good to firm) in July and he added two more wins over that C&D in the next fortnight; came up short in his bid for a four-timer at Doncaster three weeks ago; not handicapped out of things though and could bounce back.

5/1

Form: -14243 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Yet to add to 6f maiden win but may not have seen the best of him in sprint handicaps as yet, not getting the best of runs in latest 6f attempt at Naas before coming from off the pace to take third behind a progressive one at Cork (5f, good) in July; likely to need more, even so.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(4)

5th Oct 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

16:00 Curragh

Grand City Hall

9st 10lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Jarlath P Fahey

midfield, headway inside final furlong, soon switched left, ran on and went third inside final 110yds, no match for first two

5/1

Form: -28053 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Has run with credit in Group and Listed company since winning at the latter level as 2yo (good) and he gave it a very good shot on handicap debut at Chester (6f, good) recently when pressing hard throughout; shade more to prove up 1lb with this stiffer test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(1)

10th Aug 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ascot

Action Point

10st 2lb

J: Alberto Sanna

T: Archie Watson

Has run with credit in Group and Listed company since winning at the latter level as 2yo (good) and he gave it a very good shot on handicap debut at Chester (6f, good) recently when pressing hard throughout; shade more to prove up 1lb with this stiffer test.

12/1

3rd

1

(6)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 2

16:05 Chester

Action Point

9st 9lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Archie Watson

Listed winner at two and twice placed at that level subsequently; latest fifth in Germany was a good effort on RPRs and he's been gelded since; on a tough mark for belated handicap debut but he's earned it.

15/2

13th

1

(12)

18th May 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newbury

Action Point

9st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Useful colt who won a Listed event over this C&D (good) as a 2yo and was just denied at Chantilly (6.5f, AW) on his reappearance in March; however, he was disappointing on soft turf back at Chantilly five weeks ago and others have stronger claims on form.

25/1

Form: 306113 D BF

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Three handicap wins for this yard, over 6f on AW and twice over 7f on turf (good to firm and good); he lost nothing in defeat when a close third back over 6f at Doncaster 16 days ago but he was unpenalised and now runs off 6lb higher; looks to have work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(8)

10th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:35 Epsom

Daring Legend

9st 10lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Mark Pattinson

40-1 when beaten a nose at Kempton (6f, AW) on his stable debut in March and, after some lesser turf efforts, he was back in form when beaten a neck at Lingfield (1m, AW; first-time hood/tongue-tie) 19 days ago; thereabouts if he can transfer that form to grass this time.

6/1

2nd

3

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 5

19:15 Lingfield (AW)

Daring Legend

9st 8lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Mark Pattinson

All four wins when trained by Mick Appleby; below par on turf recently and has a bit to prove on this return to AW; first-time hood goes on alongside returning tongue-tie.

16/1

14th

5

(14)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Ascot

Daring Legend

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Pattinson

Won over this trip at Newmarket last autumn for Mick Appleby but three turf runs for current yard have been well below par; bit to prove.

25/1

Form: 3-3760

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Comes into it on his third of 17 in a warm 6f Newmarket handicap (good) in April but he hasn't been the same horse since, including on return from being gelded, at York 14 days ago; on the back burner for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(5)

14th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Dapper Valley

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Keady

Showed a good strike-rate during his spells with James Owen; effective on AW but holds weak claims on his two turf efforts for current yard.

33/1

7th

8

(3)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Yarmouth

Dapper Valley

9st 8lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Michael Keady

Returned from spell in UAE with two wins (6f/5f) for James Owen in spring but was sold in July then well beaten (albeit in a competitive race) for new stable at York (5.3f, good) last month; sports refitted tongue-tie/cheekpieces here; has a point to prove.

33/1

Non-runners

Beyond Borders, General Assembly

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.80
Straight Forecast £25.78
Tricast £112.82
Trifecta £130.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jarraaf

TOPSPEED:

Dapper Valley

RP RATINGS:

Jarraaf

POSTDATA:

Jarraaf

The Times:

Jarraaf

Telegraph:

Jarraaf

The Guardian:

Jarraaf

Daily Mail:

Jarraaf

D Express:

Jarraaf

Daily Mirror:

Jarraaf

The Sun:

Jarraaf

The Star:

Jarraaf

Daily Record:

Jarraaf