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
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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

3rd

8

(6)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Goodwood

Dream Composer

9st 1lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Dual course winner who isn't too fussy about the ground; had a quiet spell for last trainer but has taken advantage of a handy mark for new yard this year, winning twice over 5f, and he looked to be still in form at Windsor (6f) 19 days ago; shouldn't be far away.

8/1

4th

13

(7)

10th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

19:15 Windsor

Dream Composer

8st 11lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Multiple wins include two over 5f for new yard this year, the first under Myla Coppins and the second on this track; did win once over 6f back in 2022 but it's a long time since he played a part over this trip.

16/1

5th

2

(7)

1st Jul 2026

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

18:22 Epsom

Dream Composer

10st 4lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Hit the ground running for this yard, his Ripon win in April backed up by arguably unlucky fourth at Goodwood the following month; not beaten far in the Dash here next time and led on the line at Windsor (again 5f, good to firm) last Monday; 4lb penalty to overcome and his best has come at 5f, but he's still considered.

7/2

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

3rd

1

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

15:20 Yarmouth

Existent

9st 8lb

J: Zac Lloyd

T: Stuart Williams

Finally ended a 49-race losing run at Southwell (5f, AW) in January; now 2lb lower than for that success and this company is much easier than that he normally keeps, but his record of 1-47 on turf still makes him hard to warm to.

6/1

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

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

4th

1

(6)

11th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 4

19:45 Nottingham

Michaelas Boy

10st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Robert Cowell

Always tended to be hot and cold in the past, so disappointing he didn't fare better at Lingfield (AW) latest given a decent record there; not a lot of wiggle room off this mark and is now tried in first-time cheekpieces (wore blinkers twice as a 2yo).

6/1

8th

1

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 6y

Class 4

16:15 Lingfield (AW)

Michaelas Boy

10st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Two wins and a close second to his name in four runs over C&D; tended to be hot and cold in the past, twice winning back-to-back, which bodes well after bouncing back off 4lb lower at Yarmouth last time; goes well for Luke Morris too.

7/2

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