August 10 / 16.30 Ascot

16.30

Good

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £49180
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 314132

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who has won three times this year and went down by only a neck in the competitive International Handicap over 7f here (good to firm) a fortnight ago; has shaped as though this first crack at 1m could prompt further improvement and he's a leading contender under Hayley Turner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

New Image

8st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: David O’Meara

Won four times in 2024; lightly raced last year and reappeared with close third off 4lb higher at Redcar (1m, good to firm) this April; however, three lesser runs have followed and he needs to turn things around.

12/1

7th

5

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

New Image

9st 13lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: David O’Meara

Lightly raced and mainly disappointing since his last success in August 2024, the exception being when beaten under a length into third of nine on his reappearance over C&D (good to firm) in April; now 3lb lower but he has become hard to predict.

12/1

5th

9

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

16:25 Doncaster

New Image

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Versatile sort who has won four times at up to 1m but his last success was in August 2024; reappeared with a close third off 2lb higher at Redcar (1m, good to firm) in April but he's not easy to predict and was tailed off at Thirsk three weeks ago; yard also runs Akkadian Thunder.

8/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 541114 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Better than ever when completing a 7f hat-trick in June; shaped as if still in form when fourth of 11 at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) 16 days ago but that underlines he needs a bit more from his new mark; won over 1m earlier in his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(2)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Ascot

Yantarni

8st 13lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ian Williams

Good spell last summer culminated in a good second off 8lb higher in the Shergar Cup Mile here; not in the same form since, including during a stint in Bahrain.

16/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 013451 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Shaped well in three major 7f handicaps this summer (including Buckingham Palace and International here) before getting up on the line in a Racing League contest at Chepstow (7f, good to soft) on Thursday; 1m winner when trained in Ireland; will carry a 3lb penalty if turning out again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(13)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Carrytheone

9st 10lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Bell

As usual, he was held up before breezing through the field to win the Balmoral Handicap over 1m here last October (soft; 4lb lower); needs to put this season's performances behind him but arrives here fresh and rain would heighten interest.

12/1

8th

2

(3)

1st Aug 2025

Good

1m 1f 11y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Carrytheone

9st 10lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Michael Bell

Held up; excellent 2024 in handicaps on varied ground culminated in his Balmoral triumph at Ascot (1m, soft) in October; never having raced beyond 1m asks a question but he saw it out well that day and has a form chance if putting this month's reappearance (18-1 in Listed race) well behind him.

7/1

8th

2

(7)

12th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

17:30 Chester

Carrytheone

9st 7lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Michael Bell

Shaped well in a few top handicaps prior to deservedly landing a big pot in the Balmoral at Ascot (1m, soft) last October; whether his hold-up style lends itself to a Listed race around here remains to be seen but he's a big player on form if ready to roll after nine months off.

4/1

10/1

Form: 507024 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won two Group 3 races in 2022; has tumbled down the weights and returned to some form when reaching the frame in 1m handicaps at Newmarket and here (straight course) last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

6

(9)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Tempus

9st 8lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

1lb lower than when scoring in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood (1m, good) in June, but hard to win with these days and latest close third of six came in a Newcastle seller (1m, Tapeta); look elsewhere.

11/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

Tempus

10st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Multiple winner in his young days including over C&D, but has only managed to win two of his last 31 starts, one of which was on Jersey; may find a couple too strong.

7/1

OUR TIP

Form: 133069 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Third off slightly higher marks in good-quality 1m Newbury handicaps in the spring; shaped as if still in form when making late headway into ninth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last week; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(6)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

18:45 Doncaster

Talis Evolvere

9st 10lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Won a maiden on turf (1m, good to soft) in 2023, but his other wins have been on the AW; beaten only 2l when seventh of 11 over C&D last time; each-way chance.

6/1

7th

3

(6)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Talis Evolvere

9st 9lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Started 2026 with victory at Southwell (1m) and right back to form of late, runner-up in 1m Goodwood handicap eight days ago; he's weighted to go very well off the same mark.

9/2

2nd

2

(2)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:24 Goodwood

Talis Evolvere

11st 2lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Richard Hannon

Five AW wins at 1m and 7f; modest strike-rate of 1-20 on turf but he's often run well in difficult races, including in one run here (hampered); well treated now but he hasn't looked in great form back on turf of late; most of best form on good or quicker, acts on good to soft.

13/2

Form: 883705 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
8yo who is down to his lowest mark for three years and shaped more encouragingly when a never-nearer fifth of 16 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last week; part of a strong hand in this for his stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

14th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

10yo who won this in 2023; frequently runs well in quality handicaps and he's 5lb lower than when a cracking third in the Royal Hunt Cup last June; scratched from the Lincoln when running a temperature on his intended comeback last month and he tends to improve for a run these days; also winless since 2023.

15/2

11th

2

(1)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Bopedro

9st 12lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

9yo who has drawn a blank since winning on the July Course in summer 2023 and needs everything to drop right but he often runs extremely well in defeat, including when third in the Royal Hunt Cup in June; another respectable effort when sixth of 20 in Balmoral at Ascot (1m, good) a fortnight ago; not discounted in this slightly easier race.

6/1

Form: 8134-0 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Useful 1m handicapper for Charlie Johnston; off ten months prior to finishing last of ten in a 1m French Listed race for new yard three weeks ago; more realistic chance back in a handicap but can still only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 5

17:00 Chester

Spirit Catcher

8st 11lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Philip Kirby

Has a modest strike-rate for current yard but is technically unexposed over today's trip; creditable second at Musselburgh (12.5f) in May in sole attempt beyond 1m2f; could go well off bottom weight.

9/1

5th

13

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:50 York

Spirit Catcher

10st 0lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Philip Kirby

Unlike him to miss the break as last time and had been running well from 1m1f to 1m4f; the concerns are that he does look high enough in the weights and this is tougher than usual.

14/1

8th

2

(11)

10th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 68y

Class 6

21:00 Hamilton

Spirit Catcher

10st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Philip Kirby

Returned to winning ways at Musselburgh (1m1f, good; from 4lb lower) in April and runner-up twice since, stamina seemingly overstretched behind the thriving Alpine Sierra at Musselburgh (12.5f) latest; enters calculations back over a more suitable 8.5f.

3/1

Form: -20358 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Ex-Godolphin 6yo who won a local Group 2 in Hungary last September for this yard and he's run some good races in defeat since; another who met trouble in last week's Golden Mile at Goodwood, performing well enough to think he's still in good heart.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Silent Film

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ian Williams

On reduced mark but his last win was two years ago and he has form figures of 887788 since last August; down the list.

16/1

4

(9)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Silent Film

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Ian Williams

Hasn't won a race since September 2023 and not as good as he was; the cheekpieces need to trigger something.

33/1

7

(7)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Silent Film

8st 13lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Ian Williams

7yo who is without a win since September 2023 and doesn't appear to be the force of old, but he returned from a break at Newcastle (1m, AW) in June and that seventh gives him something to build on; on reduced mark and he's not ruled out back up in trip.

7/1

Form: -30080 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
This hold-up veteran showed he's still capable of a smart handicap performance when third in the Victoria Cup here (7f) on his reappearance in May but he hasn't got close to reproducing that form in four subsequent outings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(3)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Bless Him

9st 10lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.

16/1

4th

7

(3)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Bless Him

9st 10lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran whose losing run goes back to his success in the 2022 Bunbury Cup; down the field in two races at Kempton since returned to AW but his Newcastle record (1213) offers hope for a revival.

16/1

11th

10

(3)

20th Nov 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Bless Him

9st 0lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: David Simcock

Veteran hold-up performer who is now 8lb lower than when third in the Victoria Cup in May; capable but he'll need everything to go his way to win.

33/1

Form: -59700

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Has some decent form to his name on the straight course here but he was down the field in the Buckingham Palace at the Royal meeting in June; has been given a bit of a chance by the handicapper if refreshed by a seven-week break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(2)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Tacarib Bay

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

raced far side

10/1

6th

2

(2)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 111y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Tacarib Bay

9st 5lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

in rear

13/2

2nd

1

(3)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Ascot

Tacarib Bay

10st 0lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Both turf wins on soft and won a Listed race on AW in November; ducks and dives regarding the trip but he nearly made his first 6f turf handicap a winning one at Goodwood recently; back up 4lb but has course form at 7f; interesting.

11/2

Non-runners

Orbaan, Urban Sprawl

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.00
Straight Forecast £26.62
Tricast £95.89
Trifecta £151.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

New Image

RP RATINGS:

Bless Him

D Express:

Silent Film

POSTDATA:

Carrytheone

Telegraph:

Tempus

Daily Mirror:

Bopedro

TOPSPEED:

Orbaan

THE NORTH:

New Image

The Times:

New Image

The Guardian:

New Image

Daily Mail:

New Image

The Sun:

New Image

Daily Record:

New Image

The Star:

Bless Him