August 12 / 14.45 Ascot

14.45

Soft

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
View Course
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 516526 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Smooth win in big field at York (1m4f, good) in May; while below form on latest outing, his slow start left him with an uphill task in that top 1m2f handicap at York (good to soft) and he worked his way into sixth of 18; respected back at 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

(17)

14th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Scampi

9st 3lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Andrew Balding

Two good wins at 1m4f in 2023, impressing on this track (good) and just scraping home at Ascot (good to soft) in October; effective over C&D but he lacks a recent run and his time is more likely to come when back up in trip; hood refitted for the first time in 12 months.

14/1

4th

5

(10)

14th Oct 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:35 York

Scampi

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Andrew Balding

dwelt start, in touch with leaders

7/1

2nd
12 (6)
WoottonSun

11/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 5-2321 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Reserve; below form at this meeting last year; going great guns this season with three places prior to his win from Scampi in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock (1m4f, good to firm; probably okay on good to soft) five weeks ago; up another 5lb but needs plenty of respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(3)

17th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:55 Newcastle (AW)

WoottonSun

9st 5lb

J: David Nolan

T: Richard Fahey

Had been enjoying a consistent season prior to a poor one at York in August, when said to have run flat; the break could have helped but he's 9lb higher than when winning at Haydock, so will need a career best on just his second AW start.

8/1

12th

2

(10)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

WoottonSun

9st 12lb

J: Paul Hanagan

T: Richard Fahey

Going great guns this term, including with his Old Newton Cup win at Haydock (1m4f, good to firm) and going oh so close in a Shergar Cup race at Ascot 13 days ago; up another 5lb but it's hard to keep him out of the picture, bidding to end Paul Hanagan's superb riding career on a winning note.

6/1

2nd

12

(6)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

WoottonSun

9st 4lb

T: Richard Fahey

Reserve; below form at this meeting last year; going great guns this season with three places prior to his win from Scampi in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock (1m4f, good to firm; probably okay on good to soft) five weeks ago; up another 5lb but needs plenty of respect.

11/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 7-9131

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
His two runs on softer than good were early in career and he was withdrawn when the ground was good to soft here two weeks ago; four wins on good to firm, including when he comfortably made all twice at Windsor this summer; latest came when upped to 11.4f six weeks ago and he did it in good style; not bred for this far but same could be said of his other turf wins; improving 4yo who needs a close look despite going up another 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Newmarket (July)

Youthful King

9st 5lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Luke Dace

Usually apprentice ridden but Jude Fernandes rides him for the first time; 6lb lower than when winning at Sandown (1m6f, good to firm) last June; he has not beaten many in his four starts this season, coming last in a four-runner race last time, but can't be dismissed and the hood he often wore last term (and first run this year) is reinstated.

10/1

4th

2

(4)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:54 Lingfield

Youthful King

9st 5lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Luke Dace

4lb lower than when winning over this trip at Sandown (good to firm) last summer, but heavy defeats in his last four outings leave him with plenty to prove.

20/1

11/1

Form: -63065 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won twice last term (over slightly longer trips) and is now 3lb below his last winning mark, having generally been a bit below his best this season; not totally ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(6)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 192y

Class 5

13:30 Catterick

Dark Jedi

10st 2lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Tim Easterby

slowly away, held up in rear

9/1

5th

4

(9)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Dark Jedi

9st 9lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

slowly into stride, held up in rear, no impression from over 2f out

12/1

3rd

4

(4)

28th Sep 2024

Soft

1m 6f 1y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

Dark Jedi

9st 6lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

Disappointing favourite in this race last year but he does stay the trip and acts on heavy going; Thirsk in May saw his first win since 2022 but he's underperformed on last four outings; the last two were admittedly on AW and he's back to that last winning mark.

6/1

5/2

Form: 3114-2 CD BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won a valuable C&D handicap last September; again good to soft when this very lightly raced 4yo reappeared four weeks ago with a close second of seven back over C&D; up 3lb but on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

La Yakel

9st 5lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

in touch with leaders on outer

13/8

3

(4)

23rd Aug 2024

Soft

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

19:05 Hamilton

La Yakel

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) last September and good second at York (1m2f, soft) next time; reappeared with respectable sixth at Ascot (1m4f, good) last month and this lightly raced 5yo could build on that latest performance now back on a slow surface; firmly in calculations for top yard.

5/1

6th

3

(5)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:07 Ascot

La Yakel

9st 11lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Lightly raced 5yo; C&D winner in 2022 and went close in this race on 2023 reappearance, both on good to soft; career-best form last autumn on his latest two runs (1m2f on soft) and he needs respect.

3/1

11/1

Form: 160363 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Four-time Tapeta winner who transferred AW form to turf when close third at Ayr (1m5f, good) in June; not far away on either start since, the latest on good to soft over C&D and he's now 4lb better off with the runner-up Max Mayhem, so the handicapper is giving him a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

19:00 Chester

Nolton Cross

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

6-24 on AW but 0-12 on turf; recent efforts have been underwhelming and he's probably better suited by 1m4f; not the percentage call.

20/1

5th

3

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

19:10 Nottingham

Nolton Cross

9st 10lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Hugo Palmer

Six-time AW winner but he's 0-11 on turf and has struggled at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) and Hamilton (1m5f, good) in last two runs; now drops back into a Class 4 event but he has plenty to prove back at this trip.

16/1

9th

4

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 3

16:45 Hamilton

Nolton Cross

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hugo Palmer

Six wins (latest in February) from 24 AW starts but 0-10 on turf; Newmarket 15 days ago saw first turf race since 2023 and he came last of eight.

25/1

33/1

Form: 10-930

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at Goodwood 11 days ago and it was also good to soft ground when he was withdrawn here last month, on his only scheduled outing over 1m4f; ran respectably on penultimate start and has a good mark, but the new headgear (replacing recent cheekpieces) isn't the only question he has to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(1)

14th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

15:48 Beverley

Kitsune Power

9st 8lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Hasn't won for more than two years, but sound effort when length second over C&D in May (good to firm); each-way chance.

8/1

10th

2

(1)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Kitsune Power

11st 1lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

No win since June 2024 off 15lb higher and he's never made much of an impact in his five AW races; he's still shown more than enough on turf this season to be considered, however.

11/2

Form: 3-1862

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
With Joseph O'Brien before this season; sixth of 18 at the Royal meeting and even better form when second of seven here 15 days ago, both over C&D; that makes him in the form of his life.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:43 Kempton (AW)

Max Mayhem

9st 6lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: George Baker

Dual Kempton winner in 2023 and he's very well handicapped judged on form as recent as one year ago; Bahrain last winter did not go well for new connections, however, and although there was a whiff of his old form when seventh of 13 over C&D on his British return in May, he tailed off at Epsom ten days later; soft ground might excuse that but there are questions to answer.

16/1

10th

11

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 2

17:20 Epsom

Max Mayhem

8st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: George Baker

Locally trained runner who offered something to work on when seventh of 13 at Kempton (1m4f, AW) on his British return ten days ago; also has form on good to soft but latest effort still leaves him with work to do and he finished tailed off in the 2023 running of this.

33/1

7th

2

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Max Mayhem

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Three times down the field in Bahrain for this yard and can't support with confidence, for all moving back up in trip should help.

25/1

Form: 75-963 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Improvement peaked with his win in this race last year (good to firm); just 1lb higher today and he was a respectable third on soft ground at Ripon on latest outing, with his tongue tied for the second time, so he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(2)

27th Sep 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Pride Of Priory

10st 4lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Improved middle-distance handicapper in 2022, on turf and AW, including C&D; not picked up again this year and way below form at Ascot last time but at least he's 7lb lower than when reappearing in a valuable C&D handicap in April; not ruled out back on AW; regular tongue-tie discarded.

6/1

9th

11

(3)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Pride Of Priory

9st 6lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: William Haggas

Improvement peaked with his win in this race last year (good to firm); just 1lb higher today and he was a respectable third on soft ground at Ripon on latest outing, with his tongue tied for the second time, so he needs a second look.

7/2

3rd

4

(7)

22nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

16:30 Ripon

Pride Of Priory

9st 10lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

in rear, outpaced and pushed along briefly after 1f

5/1

Form: -34214

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Five wins last year on good or good to firm and he proved himself on good to soft when storming clear over the extended 1m2f at York last month; close fourth at Yarmouth 16 days ago off this 8lb higher mark; although his Goodwood second in June came over 1m4f, he's usually seen over shorter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(7)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Andaleep

8st 13lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

9yo who was down the field at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last time but was running consistently well prior to that; this C&D winner has an each-way chance if bouncing back.

25/1

9th

1

(10)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 3

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Andaleep

9st 13lb

J: Nicola Currie

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Hearty strike-rate on turf, adding another in a Racing League race at Yarmouth (1m2f) in July; less of a win machine on AW but both wins have come on this track, over C&D and 1m4f in early 2024, and he was involved in a tight finish back on AW at Wolverhampton two starts ago; not far away.

9/1

Non-runners

Soto Sizzler, East Asia

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £51.40
Straight Forecast £52.38
Tricast £460.47
Trifecta £528.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

La Yakel

TOPSPEED:

Max Mayhem

RP RATINGS:

Pride Of Priory

The Sun:

Scampi

LAMBOURN:

Andaleep

NEWMARKET:

La Yakel

Telegraph:

La Yakel

The Guardian:

La Yakel

Daily Mail:

La Yakel

Daily Mirror:

La Yakel

The Star:

La Yakel

Daily Record:

La Yakel

D Express:

Pride Of Priory

POSTDATA:

Max Mayhem

The Times:

Max Mayhem