August 06 / 13.00 Ascot

13.00

Good To Firm

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Curtain Raiser Classified Stakes (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £25405
  • 1m 1f 212y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Curtain Raiser Classified Stakes (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.40

Form: -41211 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Form figures of 1211 since handicapping and she improved again for the step up to 1m2f when comfortably accounting for her three rivals at Sandown (good); big form chance on that and she's clearly on the up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(1)

29th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket

Amanzoe

9st 4lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

slowly into stride, soon prominent against far rail, hung left and weakened 2f out

20/1

9th

1

(9)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Ascot

Amanzoe

10st 0lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: William Haggas

Sterling spell last summer, winning four of her last six starts in 2022, at 1m to 1m2f (on ground ranging from good to soft to good to firm); however, she signed off last August and wasn't seen again for 12 months, when weakening badly at York only 15 days ago; on the fence for now on return to 1m.

6/1

9th

1

(10)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Amanzoe

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Absent since finishing 2l second, clear of remainder, in this race (off 5lb lower; good to firm) last year when bidding for a fifth success of 2022; progressive filly who looks a likely player provided she returns in the same form; market confidence should be heeded.

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 944100 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won a five-runner 1m4f handicap at Goodwood in June and had excuses next time; however, he finished nearer last than first back there (again 1m6f; trip no excuse) last week and, dropped back in distance, he's vulnerable to sharper types.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

20

(6)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

HMS President

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

8yo whose last turf Flat run was in May 2024 (tailed off) with some fair hurdles form since; three seconds and two fourths from his five visits to Ascot, most notably when beaten a neck in this race two years ago off the same mark as today; that followed a 1m6f win and he's not entirely dismissed even though the 1m6f Copper Horse on Tuesday (first reserve) was seemingly his preferred engagement this week; usually wore headgear in 2021 and 2022, now tries a first-time visor.

50/1

17

(8)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

HMS President

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Reserve; has a good record here and went close at this meeting in 2023 (1m4f, good to firm); stays 1m6f; some good runs over hurdles since last November but it remains to be seen if this 8yo is the same force as two years ago; wears a first-time visor.

40/1

11th

4

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

13:20 Sandown

HMS President

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Useful on Flat and has a solid record (2122) over hurdles; penultimate effort in this sphere is a strong piece of form; however, rather lacks room for significant progress, having raced 41 times in total.

12/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: -52933

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Stable has a great record at this meeting and this 4yo is nothing if not consistent; tough mark doesn't matter in this classified event but he didn't convince stamina-wise when trying this trip for the first time at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm; behind Adjourn) on latest outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(3)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 195y

Class 6

17:15 Carlisle

Carolus Magnus

9st 9lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Not the most prolific, but he was returning from 134 days off when beaten just a neck at Musselburgh (7f, good) last month; respected off 1lb higher if coming on from that.

4/1

2nd

9

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 5

15:50 Musselburgh

Carolus Magnus

8st 12lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

C&D winner (good) last October; also runner-up off today's mark back here in November and could play a prominent role again if fully primed after 134 days off.

11/1

12th

1

(10)

21st Oct 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Carolus Magnus

9st 11lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Michael & David Easterby

Useful in previous incarnation over longer trips; on handy mark now and after running fast for a long way over C&D (first 6f run) in September he won with plenty to spare at Musselburgh (7f; visor off) last week; the ability is there to make light of a 4lb penalty.

7/2

14/1

Form: 540645 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Thoroughly exposed and hasn't been all that threatening in his last four runs on the turf; looks up against it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(5)

11th Dec 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Pistoletto

9st 5lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Ryan

Well below par in two runs since popping up at Kempton in July (1m3f); can start slowly.

33/1

Form: -76533

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Placed in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes on this day 12 months ago; 0-5 in handicaps this season but it was an excellent effort to finish third over this trip at Glorious Goodwood when faring best of the prominent racers; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(8)

30th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Lingfield (AW)

Value Theory

9st 5lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

took keen hold, led, pushed along and increased tempo 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final 110yds

10/1

5th

1

(4)

23rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Value Theory

10st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

led, headed 2f out, soon weakened

3/1

1st

1

(4)

17th Sep 2022

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:26 Newmarket

Value Theory

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

pressed leader, led narrowly after 1f, increased tempo from 4f out, shaken up 3f out, soon edged left and against near rail, pushed along from 2f out, went clear over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, readily

9/2

OUR TIP

100/30

Form: 25-431 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Close up in all five starts and, by some margin, it was a career-best RPR when opening his account in a 1m2f handicap at Doncaster (good to firm) three weeks ago; has good chance on these terms and gives the impression there's more to come from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(6)

14th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 1f 21y

Class 3

15:55 Yarmouth

Adjourn

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

dwelt start, held up in rear, shaken up 3f out, switched right 2f out, soon on outer, pushed along and minor headway from over 1f out, kept on but not pace to challenge

11/2

6th

6

(2)

6th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Adjourn

9st 4lb

J: Kerrin McEvoy

T: David Simcock

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong

100/30

Form: 1-1803

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Both wins were on softer than good but his York third on good to firm last time is up with his best form and, after only seven runs, there could be some improvement lurking over a new trip he should stay on breeding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(6)

17th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 177y

Class 4

16:50 York

Blenheim Boy

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Easy winner of a soft-ground Ripon handicap on 2022 reappearance but hasn't built on it since and he was found to have bled from the nose when tailed off on his seasonal return at the same venue seven weeks ago.

10/1

13th

5

(13)

29th Apr 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Ripon

Blenheim Boy

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Easy winner of a soft-ground C&D handicap on last season's reappearance; couldn't build on it subsequently but he starts this campaign off a more manageable mark; gelded since last seen; there are reasons to be positive but stall 13 isn't one of them.

8/1

8th

9

(14)

14th Oct 2022

Heavy

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:00 Haydock

Blenheim Boy

9st 6lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out

8/1

Form: -79S00 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Very useful on his day for the Gosden yard but lightly raced and a long way below best since winning at Newbury in the autumn of 2020; no positives to take out of this year, albeit in some strong handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(16)

12th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Humanitarian

9st 5lb

J: Ben Coen

T: R P Burns

Two wins over longer distances in Britain came some time ago; mildly encouraging run on latest off reduced mark but fair bit more needed on first run for new yard.

10/1

12th

7

(16)

12th Apr 2024

Standard

1m 2f 150y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Humanitarian

9st 5lb

J: Ben Coen

T: R P Burns

Two wins over longer distances in Britain came some time ago; mildly encouraging run on latest off reduced mark but fair bit more needed on first run for new yard.

10/1

5th

9

(7)

12th Jan 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:15 Dundalk (AW)

Humanitarian

9st 6lb

J: Rory Cleary

T: John Joseph Hanlon

took keen hold, towards rear, headway over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, not reach leaders

16/1

20/1

Form: 121789 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Most wins and peak form have come on AW surfaces and he's probably a more potent threat over slightly shorter distances than this; also below par the last twice, so it's not hard to turn elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(6)

2nd Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 5

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Civil Law

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roger Teal

Five-time course winner, but he's never scored beyond 1m2f and his last success was in November 2023; well handicapped on his old form but he's been well held in last four starts and latest was over 1m6f here last month; opposable.

16/1

20/1

Form: 754183

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Tongue tied first time, never-dangerous third over 1m at Newmarket on latest start, looking in trouble for much of that race; perhaps the return of cheekpieces will benefit him but, even so, these terms are not beneficial.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(9)

18th Mar 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 5

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Atheby

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Blake

Fair 1m winner for Jane Chapple-Hyam in 2022 but subsequently changed hands for £2,000 and last of nine on his yard debut in 7f Kempton handicap 17 days ago; hood goes on for his Tapeta debut with something to prove.

50/1

9th

7

(6)

1st Mar 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Atheby

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Michael Blake

in touch with leaders

20/1

10th

8

(8)

6th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Atheby

9st 4lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

slightly awkward start, towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, dropped to last over 3f out, soon lost touch, tailed off

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.80
Straight Forecast £34.61
Trifecta £156.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Amanzoe

RP Ratings:

Adjourn

Daily Express:

Blenheim Boy

TOPSPEED:

Amanzoe

POSTDATA:

Amanzoe

Telegraph:

Amanzoe

The Star:

Amanzoe

Daily Record:

Amanzoe

NEWMARKET:

Adjourn

The Times:

Adjourn

The Guardian:

Adjourn

Daily Mail:

Adjourn

The Sun:

Adjourn

Daily Mirror:

Blenheim Boy