August 10 / 15.55 Ascot

15.55

Good

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.00
  • Place: £3.20

Form: 922140

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f handicap, good) in June; there's some concern about today's mark, though, as his apparent best form came when playing a minor role in a non-handicap (penultimate start); soft ground and blinkers (usual cheekpieces return today) may help to excuse his Galway run eight days ago but others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(9)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Going Remote

9st 5lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Mrs John Harrington

Tailed off on soft (sole run in blinkers); off the mark in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f handicap, good) in June and added a Shergar Cup race in a good scrap at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm; Champagne Prince closing fast in second) two weeks ago; 5lb higher than last time but shapes as if he will stay 1m6f and enters calculations.

14/1

1st

1

(7)

10th Aug 2024

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Going Remote

10st 2lb

J: Bauyrzhan Murzabayev

T: Mrs John Harrington

Off the mark in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f handicap, good) in June; there's some concern about today's mark, though, as his apparent best form came when playing a minor role in a non-handicap (penultimate start); soft ground and blinkers (usual cheekpieces return today) may help to excuse his Galway run eight days ago but others are preferred.

14/1

16th

18

(10)

2nd Aug 2024

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:35 Galway

Going Remote

8st 7lb

J: Nathan Crosse

T: Mrs John Harrington

midfield, raced wide and dropped to rear 5f out

9/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 11-70

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Impressed when winning 7f AW novices late last year on first two starts; found the Group 3 Craven too much at Newmarket on reappearance and 11th of 13 when 40-1 for handicap debut at Newmarket (1m) four weeks ago; withdrawn when the ground was good to firm at Goodwood (1m3f) eight days ago; lacks solid claims but his dam was a C&D winner and he needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(1)

22nd Feb 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 1

15:15 Southwell (AW)

Champagne Prince

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

led at fast pace, clear after 3f

11/2

1st

5

(5)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 2

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Champagne Prince

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

led, headed and raced in second after 3f, ridden and led again over 2f out, jockey dropped rein when hung left over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, comfortably

Evs

1st

5

(5)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 2

18:30 Southwell (AW)

Champagne Prince

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

led, headed and raced in second after 3f, ridden and led again over 2f out, jockey dropped rein when hung left over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, comfortably

Evs

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 924-51

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Five races, with his two best efforts on good to firm; that includes winning a maiden at Windsor (1m2f) 19 days ago in clearcut fashion, after which this first go at 1m4f on his handicap debut looks viable; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(5)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:15 Ascot

Houstonn

9st 9lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Nine races, the clear best efforts being his four runs on good to firm and that includes his close third of nine over C&D last August; readily excused his last two starts last season, in the mud; one to consider seriously.

10/1

3rd

1

(5)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:15 Ascot

Houstonn

9st 9lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Nine races, the clear best efforts being his four runs on good to firm and that includes his close third of nine over C&D last August; readily excused his last two starts last season, in the mud; one to consider seriously.

10/1

8th

9

(11)

21st Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Houstonn

8st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Richard Hannon

in touch with leaders

11/1

Form: 2-5154 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won a maiden at Salisbury (1m4f, heavy) in May; weakened late on in handicaps at Doncaster (14.5f, good) and Salisbury (1m4f, good to firm) in June, which were his highest ratings so he did not look on a good mark; sold out of Richard Hannon's for 105,000gns in early July; needs improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(9)

11th May 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Sam Hawkens

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

1-5 for Richard Hannon and 0-3 for current yard; edging down the weights and it's possible he can build on his fair reappearance two weeks ago, but he did start favourite that day; stays 1m4f but this is his AW debut.

6/1

1st

9

(9)

11th May 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:35 Newcastle (AW)

Sam Hawkens

9st 0lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

1-5 for Richard Hannon and 0-3 for current yard; edging down the weights and it's possible he can build on his fair reappearance two weeks ago, but he did start favourite that day; stays 1m4f but this is his AW debut.

6/1

4th

3

(1)

26th Apr 2025

Good

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

17:35 Ripon

Sam Hawkens

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

in touch with leaders on inner, outpaced 3f out, rallying over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, weakened final 110yds

3/1

6/4

Form: 21381

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ran well on AW early this year; had no luck (traffic issues) when midfield at York in July on turf/handicap debut, but easily gained compensation when 6-5 favourite in apprentice race at Haydock (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) six days ago; has an unchanged mark today, so he's easily the form pick, and there's also plenty of encouragement for 1m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(2)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Solomon

10st 8lb

J: Ms N A Kane

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

AW winner is 1-6 on turf; that win came off 85 at Haydock (1m2f, good) for William Haggas last August; has failed to beat a rival in three runs for current yard; cheekpieces worn last time discarded; hard to fancy on recent exploits.

40/1

4

(2)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Solomon

10st 8lb

J: Ms N A Kane

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

AW winner is 1-6 on turf; that win came off 85 at Haydock (1m2f, good) for William Haggas last August; has failed to beat a rival in three runs for current yard; cheekpieces worn last time discarded; hard to fancy on recent exploits.

40/1

15th

2

(6)

24th Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 100y

19:02 Tipperary

Solomon

9st 12lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Denis Gerard Hogan

took keen hold, prominent, weakened quickly over 2f out

28/1

OUR TIP

Form: 14-16 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Has raced on only soft or good to soft; won at Sandown and Beverley on two of his first three starts, but suffered heavy defeats in a Group 3 as 2yo and on handicap debut (Sandown 1m2f; favourite) five weeks ago; withdrawn when ground was good to firm at Goodwood eight days ago; visored now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:48 Fakenham

Dambuster

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, ridden when led narrowly approaching last, not fluent last, soon headed and no extra

11/10

2nd

1

21st Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:48 Fakenham

Dambuster

11st 2lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, pressed leader 2 out, ridden when led narrowly approaching last, not fluent last, soon headed and no extra

11/10

2nd

10

29th Mar 2025

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

13:55 Stratford

Dambuster

10st 9lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Didn't always look straightforward for Andrew Balding for whom his form petered out; however, he won two of his eight races (1m/1m2f) for that yard and has joined another good one to go hurdling; bought for 20,000gns.

9/2

20/1

Form: 734

Last run: 71 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Had three runs in April/May, easily his most competitive show when third at Yarmouth (11.4f, good) on second start; the other two were 1m2f on good to soft; absent for ten weeks before this handicap debut and, although he's not the most stoutly bred, that second run holds possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(7)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

20:15 Southwell (AW)

Old Saxony

9st 10lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: David Simcock

made all

7/1

4th

3

(4)

25th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Old Saxony

9st 8lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David Simcock

No improvement for the switch to handicaps as yet, including dropped into a Class 5 at Southwell three weeks ago; dropping down the weights and his novice runs do offer hope of better at some point.

3/1

4th

3

(1)

4th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 5

15:23 Southwell (AW)

Old Saxony

9st 6lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: David Simcock

No improvement for the switch to handicaps as yet but this is a drop in class and he did attract good support at Newmarket 12 days ago (nearly 4l behind Aulis).

5/1

Form: 36-190 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Arrives here by a different route, having won a maiden at Chester (1m4f, good to firm) in May before heavy defeats in a 1m6f Group 2 at Royal Ascot and the German Derby at Hamburg; hooded on the first two of those starts; this handicap debut should be a more realistic opportunity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(8)

10th Aug 2024

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Mina Rashid

9st 12lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Andrew Balding

Arrives here by a different route, having won a maiden at Chester (1m4f, good to firm) in May before heavy defeats in a 1m6f Group 2 at Royal Ascot and the German Derby at Hamburg; hooded on the first two of those starts; this handicap debut should be a more realistic opportunity.

9/1

9th

8

(12)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Mina Rashid

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

steadied start, always behind

14/1

1st

4

(1)

10th May 2024

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Mina Rashid

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

May yet confirm Nottingham debut promise (1m, soft) as the AW surface perhaps partly excuses his flop at Kempton subsequently; bred to stay at least 1m2f; hood applied; possibilities back on turf.

5/1

Form: 712137 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Raised his game in May/June, including for two wins (1m2f/1m3f) on good, but progress stalled when trying 1m4f (good to firm) and he ran poorly when back at 1m2f last time; others are therefore more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(2)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Whathappensinvegas

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ian Williams

Both wins came over 1m2f/1m3f last year and was back off his last winning mark when beaten less than a length into third of nine on last month's Haydock return (1m2f, good); possibilities.

4/1

3rd

7

(2)

16th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Whathappensinvegas

8st 10lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ian Williams

Both wins came over 1m2f/1m3f last year and was back off his last winning mark when beaten less than a length into third of nine on last month's Haydock return (1m2f, good); possibilities.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £132.80
Straight Forecast £114.09
Tricast £1022.54
Trifecta £867.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Solomon

Daily Mirror:

Sam Hawkens

RP RATINGS:

Solomon

TOPSPEED:

Solomon

POSTDATA:

Solomon

The Times:

Solomon

Telegraph:

Solomon

The Guardian:

Solomon

Daily Mail:

Solomon

D Express:

Solomon

The Sun:

Solomon

The Star:

Solomon

Daily Record:

Solomon