August 12 / 14.10 Ascot

14.10

Soft

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap)

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

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 210-42 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
9yo who's been highly competitive again in Ireland this year over hurdles and on Flat; made up a lot of ground late on when close second of 20 at Galway (2m) 12 days ago; questionable over whether he's the best handicapped of these but on the evidence of recent starts he's by far the most reliable with proven stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

3

(12)

23rd Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 80y

19:12 Killarney

The Very Man

9st 12lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Mrs John Harrington

slowly into stride, always behind

12/1

9th

2

19th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 180y

15:05 Killarney

The Very Man

11st 12lb

J: Rachael Blackmore

T: Mrs John Harrington

Talented dual-purpose performer; cracking fifth in red-hot 2m4f Punchestown handicap on latest hurdles run.

7/1

12th

2

(9)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

The Very Man

9st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Very solid sequence last spring/summer on ground ranging from good (unraced on firmer) to heavy, including a dominant display from the back over 2m at this track; 7lb higher mark today demands a career-best Flat performance but he was bang there in blanket finish to a good handicap hurdle last month and it's not hard to think that this trip will suit.

25/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 250004 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the St Leger in 2020 and won on Southwell AW (2m) this January on third start back after an absence; his form has subsided somewhat since, however, and third-placed Prydwen comfortably had his measure on latest start; 6lb lower than at start of the year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(13)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

18:05 Ascot

Berkshire Rocco

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Runner-up in the 2020 St Leger and won on AW (2m) in January 2023; has a mixed record since, the best of which were his two good runs last August when second here (2m; will stay further) and fifth in the Ebor (good to firm); that form gives him a shout (1lb lower today) and his latest start was a step back in the right direction, but he does not look the percentage call.

20/1

3rd

1

(2)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Newmarket

Berkshire Rocco

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Runner-up in the 2020 St Leger and won on AW (2m) last January; has a mixed record since, the best of which were his two good runs last August (including fifth in the Ebor); that form gives him a shout and he may have needed his recent reappearance here, but he does not look the percentage call.

7/2

3rd

1

(2)

19th May 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Newmarket

Berkshire Rocco

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Runner-up in the 2020 St Leger and won on AW (2m) last January; has a mixed record since, the best of which were his two good runs last August (including fifth in the Ebor); that form gives him a shout and he may have needed his recent reappearance here, but he does not look the percentage call.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: -98295 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Has a very good record at Ascot, prompting hope that he'll be back in the sort of form he showed twice at this year's Royal meeting; major player if so, and he was not discredited at Goodwood last week; usually wears visor or cheekpieces but today's blinkers are a first.
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: 042400

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Started the British season for new stable with good runs in the Chester Cup, at Haydock and Royal Ascot; had form earlier in his career with cheekpieces but tailed off in them in the Northumberland Plate (reportedly struck into) and at Goodwood on last two outings and they are dispensed with now; his big Chester run was on soft but trainer blamed tacky ground for last week's performance; big shout if surging back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(10)

9th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:45 Chester

Law Of The Sea

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

The vast majority of last year was disappointing; however, perhaps first time up will be the time to catch him as he reappeared with a good third in this 12 months ago; now 12lb lower; could be dangerous.

14/1

5th

5

(10)

9th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:45 Chester

Law Of The Sea

9st 8lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

The vast majority of last year was disappointing; however, perhaps first time up will be the time to catch him as he reappeared with a good third in this 12 months ago; now 12lb lower; could be dangerous.

14/1

3rd

6

13th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 0f 145y

Class 4

13:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Law Of The Sea

11st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Ian Williams

took keen hold, brief headway and went remote fourth after 3 out, mistake 2 out, went remote third run-in, no match for first two

11/2

OUR TIP

9/1

Form: 186323

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
No turf win this season but he's never been better than in recent starts for his placed efforts at Haydock (1m4f), Ayr (1m5f) and Newmarket (1m6f); has a career-high mark too, plus another step up in trip but it's not out of the question that he'll stay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:35 Ripon

Prydwen

9st 7lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: George Scott

Last five outings on AW, posting his most encouraging effort when second of 12 in a 2m Newcastle Good Friday handicap; nudged back up 2lb for that but he's still 3lb lower than when runner-up at Chester (2m, good to soft) last September; should go well.

3/1

2nd

4

(10)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Prydwen

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: George Scott

Won this in 2024 and he's dropping down the weights; this 8yo has shown the odd sign of spark over the last 12 months but his AW exploits this winter indicate it's best to look elsewhere.

14/1

Form: 65-080

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Ran well at Royal Ascot 2022; has not fired on all cylinders in his three runs this season, sold out of Keith Dalgleish's stable before latest, but is now well handicapped on his 2022 form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(6)

10th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:20 Nottingham

Alright Sunshine

9st 3lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Mike Murphy

slightly awkward start, soon recovered and prominent, challenging 3f out, weakened from over 1f out

20/1

5th

6

(6)

10th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

13:20 Nottingham

Alright Sunshine

9st 3lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Mike Murphy

slightly awkward start, soon recovered and prominent, challenging 3f out, weakened from over 1f out

20/1

9th

16

(10)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Alright Sunshine

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Mike Murphy

Multiple winner but an exposed 10yo who doesn't arrive here in the best of form.

66/1

Form: 331-09

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
More potent upped to 1m6f when cheekpieces were initially enlisted (they've been kept since) for his last two starts last season; underwhelming in the Northumberland Plate (raced a bit freely) on reappearance and tailed off on heavy going at Goodwood one week ago, but he should stay 2m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(11)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 6f 1y

Class 2

15:00 Haydock

Post Impressionist

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Underwhelming on first three runs this year but not beaten far in ninth in the Ebor (1m6f, good to firm) a fortnight ago and he may be able to build on that, having come good around this time of year last season.

13/2

9th

23

(1)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Post Impressionist

8st 12lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

More potent upped to 1m6f (with Adam Farragher) when cheekpieces were initially enlisted for his last two starts last season, notably for a clearcut win over C&D (good to soft); 8lb higher today and has not fired in the same way in his three starts this term; headgear now removed.

25/1

7th

6

(8)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Post Impressionist

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

More potent upped to 1m6f when cheekpieces were initially enlisted (they've been kept since) for his last two starts last season; underwhelming in the Northumberland Plate (raced a bit freely) on reappearance and tailed off on heavy going at Goodwood one week ago, but he should stay 2m.

8/1

3/1

Form: 34-260 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
A success story returned to the Flat last term and he carried on the good work on first two outings this season when neck second in the Chester Cup and sixth of 19 over 2m4f at Royal Ascot; perhaps his run in the Northumberland Plate 11 days later came too soon (also drawn wide); player if he bounces back from that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Zoffee

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups; he didn't quite reproduce that form in the 2023 or 2024 campaigns, however, and tailed off at Royal Ascot on first attempt this season; comfortably held in fourth in this race last year; this does not look the time to catch him.

7/1

19th

11

(8)

17th Jun 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Zoffee

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups and not far away in this race two years ago; back up 3lb since latest Chester Cup, however, and he didn't quite reproduce the Chester form in either the 2023 or 2024 campaigns.

20/1

3rd

8

(4)

9th May 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:05 Chester

Zoffee

8st 11lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Hugo Palmer

led narrowly, headed after 1f, soon prominent on inner, no extra final 110yds

10/1

Form: 2320-0

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Finished no better than tenth in his four visits to Ascot, albeit with some respectable efforts including at this year's Royal meeting (perhaps stretched by 2m4f); tailed off when blinkered in a handicap hurdle in July and now returns to cheekpieces; none too solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(2)

20th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:55 Bath

Throne Hall

11st 1lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won back-to-back races at Musselburgh (2m) and Les Landes (1m5f) in April but he's been generally disappointing since; on dangerous mark on this step back up in trip but needs to turn things around; tongue-tie added.

9/2

6th

4

(6)

9th Sep 2025

Good

1m 5f 192y

Class 6

14:10 Catterick

Throne Hall

10st 7lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Won back-to-back at Musselburgh (2m) and Les Landes (1m5f) in April but has been below par of late; paid the price for doing too much too soon when a weakening fifth to Stellarmasterpiece (1m4f, here; beaten 2l) on penultimate start; easing mark helpful.

11/2

6

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 5

16:10 Lingfield (AW)

Throne Hall

10st 4lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Made all when winning in a small field at Musselburgh in April (2m, good) and he followed up in Jersey 19 days later; poor run at Doncaster last month but he bounced back with a solid effort at Catterick last week (1m4f, good to firm); shouldn't be far away.

7/1

20/1

Form: 208-58 D

Last run: 126 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Four wins (1m4f-2m) on turf in 2021 during first campaign for this yard; lightly raced since and there's a serious question whether enough ability remains, as his last serious impact was at Meydan in February 2022, but his stable (runs plenty in this field) is one to note in major staying handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:45 Newmarket (July)

East Asia

9st 10lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Ian Williams

On a reduced mark but he returned from an absence in March and has failed to shine on his three starts this year; major turnaround needed.

20/1

10th

10

(7)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

East Asia

9st 6lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Ian Williams

Four wins (1m4f-2m) on turf in 2021 during first campaign for this yard; lightly raced since and there's a serious question whether enough ability remains, as his last serious impact was at Meydan in February 2022, but his stable (runs plenty in this field) is one to note in major staying handicaps.

20/1

Non-runners

Zinc White, Themaxwecan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.10
Straight Forecast £15.63
Tricast £123.49
Trifecta £138.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

The Very Man

Telegraph:

Law Of The Sea

Daily Mail:

Zoffee

RP RATINGS:

The Grand Visir

NEWMARKET:

Post Impressionist

D Express:

Law Of The Sea

The Sun:

Zoffee

TOPSPEED:

The Very Man

The Times:

The Very Man

The Guardian:

The Very Man

Daily Mirror:

The Very Man

The Star:

The Very Man

Daily Record:

The Very Man

POSTDATA:

The Grand Visir