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
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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

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

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

7th

5

(3)

28th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:00 York

Venture Capital

9st 3lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Has a very healthy 5-15 strike-rate, the latest win coming at Ripon (5f, good) in April; merely mid-division behind Habooba over this C&D four weeks ago but has had wind surgery since and is not discounted.

12/1

2

(11)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Venture Capital

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Kevin Ryan

Form has taken off since dropped to sprinting, winning twice last summer and getting off the mark for 2025 with a good win at Ripon five weeks ago, strong at the finish despite looking ill at ease on the track; up 5lb but doubt he's reached his ceiling and Ryan Moore is an eyecatching booking.

7/1

2

(11)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Venture Capital

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Kevin Ryan

Form has taken off since dropped to sprinting, winning twice last summer and getting off the mark for 2025 with a good win at Ripon five weeks ago, strong at the finish despite looking ill at ease on the track; up 5lb but doubt he's reached his ceiling and Ryan Moore is an eyecatching booking.

7/1

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

8th

1

(7)

8th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Thunder Blue

9st 11lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

At his very best last year on the AW; not disgraced on either start this term (turf/AW) and he wasn't beaten far in one 7f race on soft ground last September, but turf form does suggest that others have the edge.

4/1

5th

6

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Thunder Blue

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

At his best last year on the AW when competitive at 6f/7f; smacked of a horse who would come on for the run at Chester (7f) on return and the tongue-tie worn last season is now restored.

12/1

5th

6

(6)

1st Jun 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Thunder Blue

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

At his best last year on the AW when competitive at 6f/7f; smacked of a horse who would come on for the run at Chester (7f) on return and the tongue-tie worn last season is now restored.

12/1

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

4th

1

(3)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Aramram

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

He had been banging at the door before winning at Newbury last month and he comes here on the back of a cracking run in the Wokingham last week, missing the break slightly and ending up further back than is usually the case; finished his race off well for sixth, however, and this is less demanding; strong form in three AW starts and this July Cup entrant is a major player.

7/2

6th

18

(19)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Aramram

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hannon

Took time to get going in handicaps but things went much better in the autumn when he won either side of a second of 22 in the Ayr Silver Cup; has returned in the same vein this year, twice runner-up to More Thunder at Newmarket (6f; good to soft and good) before gaining a deserved Newbury win; up 4lb; should run to his level but one or two others may be on better marks now.

7/1

10

(2)

17th May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Newbury

Aramram

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hannon

Limited joy from a win perspective this year but he's run some cracking races in defeat and was a shade unfortunate, having got to the front at Newmarket (6f, good) 14 days ago, to get touched off on the line by a smart prospect; raised 3lb but Ryan Moore rides for the first time; solid contender.

5/1

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

4

(6)

26th Jun 2025

Good

0m 5f 7y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Imperial Guard

9st 10lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Michael Dods

Only an AW novice win to his name but has several creditable efforts in handicaps, including latest third of nine at Southwell (5f, AW); won't need to pull out much more for first-time cheekpieces with his yard back among the winners.

7/1

3rd

3

(2)

31st May 2025

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

17:25 Southwell (AW)

Imperial Guard

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Michael Dods

Sole success came in a Kempton novice (6f, Polytrack) in April last year when trained by Andrew Balding; has run well on turf in his last two starts for his new yard, but dropping to 5f for the first time on this new surface begs a question.

3/1

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

8

(3)

28th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

20:00 Doncaster

Daring Legend

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

7f is now his trip and hasn't been far away in any of his last four races, the pick his second of 21 at York two starts back; Kevin Stott takes over from a 5lb claimer; can go well.

6/1

3rd

2

(8)

17th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Thirsk

Daring Legend

10st 1lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Michael Appleby

Easy 7f on this ground ideal and he arrives in good form, again giving his running for Tom Kiely-Marshall in a big field at York 17 days ago; little room for manoeuvre off this mark but looks set to go well once more.

5/1

2nd

6

(10)

31st May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Daring Legend

9st 7lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: Michael Appleby

Suited by these conditions and only just beaten at Yarmouth last time (7f, good to firm); up 2lb; one to consider.

16/1

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

3

(13)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:50 Haydock

Dapper Valley

9st 8lb

J: George Bass

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Now 3lb lower than for his Yarmouth win last October (7f, soft) but that is a result of some modest efforts this year; blinkers didn't help at Windsor 12 days ago (5f, good to firm); others look safer.

25/1

5th

3

(5)

23rd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 3

18:58 Windsor

Dapper Valley

9st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Back to the same mark as when seeing off six rivals at Yarmouth last October (7f, soft); too free in three 7f handicaps this year and blinkers are reached for now dropped to 5f; best form on good or slower so could do with rain.

6/1

9th

5

(8)

8th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Dapper Valley

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Ended last season with his first win (Yarmouth 7f, soft) since debut; he's beaten just one home in both of his starts this term, which introduces doubts even though he could return to soft ground today.

12/1

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