August 09 / 13.35 Ascot

13.35

Good To Firm

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 736527 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Not at his best over C&D two weeks ago but his Ascot record is solid overall and he was beaten only a nose in the Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle in June; that's a strong piece of recent form and he should be thereabouts off just 2lb higher.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(11)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Vintage Clarets

9st 3lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Prolific winner over the years, including over C&D; no impact yet this season but he wasn't disgraced from a wide draw at Chester last time and he's tumbling in the weights; solid each-way claims.

12/1

7th

8

(11)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Vintage Clarets

9st 1lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Close third off 6lb higher (from stall 5) in this contest two years ago and 2-4 at Chester overall; however, has a big doubt over current form, reflected in two duck eggs this season; wide draw adds uncertainty.

25/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: /2121- D

Last run: 519 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
In the form of his life in Dubai early in 2024, winning 5f/6f handicaps in big fields at Meydan; perhaps there's further improvement in him but he reappears off a career-high mark after 519 days off and others are safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

4

(9)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Ascot

Vespasian

9st 9lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Handles soft but best form on quicker surfaces and an excellent second of 11 in the Shergar Cup over C&D, back from an absence, was on good to firm (closely matched with the fourth Manaccan); drying ground will suit and has been given four weeks to recover so a strong contender off the same mark.

9/2

2nd

3

(8)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Vespasian

9st 9lb

J: Ryusei Sakai

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

In the form of his life in Dubai early in 2024, winning 5f/6f handicaps in big fields at Meydan; perhaps there's further improvement in him but he reappears off a career-high mark after 519 days off and others are safer.

14/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 910702 D BF

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won at Ripon (5f, good) in April and back to form when beaten a neck in a small field at Hamilton (first-time cheekpieces) last week; good efforts on both attempts at Ascot, including when second in the Sprint at this meeting last year; solid candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:25 Beverley

Venture Capital

8st 13lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Below par in three AW outings this year but is well treated on last year's turf exploits if first-time blinkers spark him back to life.

9/1

11th

8

(11)

27th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Venture Capital

9st 5lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Below par in two AW outings this year but might have been building up his fitness and this former course scorer is starting to look well treated on the pick of last year's turf form; no shock were he to bounce back to form.

12/1

7th

9

(9)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:02 Southwell (AW)

Venture Capital

9st 2lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Got the better of Pilgrim at Ripon (5f, good) last April off a mark 2lb higher than today's, and he ended the season with some solid placed efforts; faded at Newcastle (5f, AW) last month on his first start for 111 days but he may well have needed it.

10/1

OUR TIP
4th
1 (11)
Manaccan

13/2

Form: 1/3/00 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Hard to weigh up after being absent for two years and then finishing down the field in Group races over this C&D and at Sandown, but he's well treated on the pick of his form, including a cosy win in this race in 2022, and he has the benefit of Hollie Doyle in the saddle.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(12)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Ascot

Manaccan

9st 13lb

J: Stevie Donohoe

T: John Ryan

Won Listed (including C&D on good to soft) and Group 3 races before two-year absence; out of his depth in Group 1 and 3 races since but sights were lowered when he was a more encouraging fourth of ten in the Shergar Cup over C&D (good to firm) last month; back on dry land after another Group 1 venture since and can't dismiss.

12/1

16th

3

(1)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Manaccan

10st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: John Ryan

Won two 5f Listed races and a Group 3 (AW) in 2022; missed two years subsequently and well back in two Group races this summer; his fourth of ten at the Shergar Cup at Ascot (5f, good to firm) 13 days ago was more like it but this looks too big a task.

66/1

4th

1

(11)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Manaccan

10st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John Ryan

Hard to weigh up after being absent for two years and then finishing down the field in Group races over this C&D and at Sandown, but he's well treated on the pick of his form, including a cosy win in this race in 2022, and he has the benefit of Hollie Doyle in the saddle.

13/2

5th
10 (12)
Rosario

8/1

Form: 717900 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Finished in front of Dream Composer and Regal Envoy at Goodwood last time but was still well below par, and he'd previously finished down the field over this C&D; it's only three months since his last success (5f, good) but in four subsequent runs he hasn't come close to repeating the form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(11)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Rosario

8st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Roger Teal

Captured this prize last year and largely in good form after, despite his customary slow starts; should strip sharper for his reappearance sixth in 5f Newmarket handicap 17 days ago so he's no forlorn hope in refitted cheekpieces.

8/1

6th

2

(9)

14th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Newmarket

Rosario

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Teal

Strong traveller who can be slowly away; first handicap win when beating Existent at Goodwood (5f, good) last May; treading water during the summer but he did well when a close third of 21 from a tough draw in the Portland (extended 5f, good) in September and a subsequent Ascot defeat by a well-treated rival was another solid run given the race didn't go his way; claims.

5/1

5

(7)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Rosario

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Roger Teal

Just two wins to his name but he has plenty of ability and comes here in top form, most recently coming from well back to snatch second at Ascot three weeks ago (5f, soft); slow starts are a thorn in his side but no surprise to see him arriving on the scene late; new visor replaces cheekpieces.

4/1

Form: 200820 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
In and out this season, and like Regal Envoy he was well beaten in a big field at Goodwood 11 days ago; however, he's dangerous if on a going day and he was third in this race 12 months ago off a 2lb higher mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(7)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Dream Composer

9st 3lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Regained the winning thread at Ripon (5f, good) on stable/seasonal debut when 5lb lower and rider took off 7lb; this seems a harder task but he remains well treated on peak form and is a dual winner at Goodwood; enters calculations.

9/2

1st

5

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Dream Composer

8st 10lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Ten-time winner down the years for James Evans; drew a blank in 2025 but runner-up twice off marks in the 90s, including reappearance, so well treated starting out for Tony Carroll (same owners); interesting to see what the betting makes of him.

14/1

Form: -77460 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Sprang a surprise in last season's Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket (5f, good) but has not shone for his new stable, midfield in last Saturday's Stewards' Cup; needs to get back on track but he's tumbling in the weights and this is a less competitive race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Seven Questions

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Acts on any ground; on a losing spell that goes back to Group 3 success two years ago but is on a very attractive mark and his Class 2 form this term includes a couple of respectable efforts; this combination of a drop in grade and assistance of Jamie Spencer (up for first time; regular jockey for the owner) may be the time to catch him.

7/2

4th

9

(1)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Seven Questions

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Robert Cowell

Disappointing favourite at Ripon last time, taking record for current yard to 0-10, but his reappearance was encouraging and he has become very attractively handicapped; peak mark was 18lb higher and earned by bagging Group 3 honours at Newmarket two years ago; has the plum draw and can't be written off.

9/2

6th

1

(3)

25th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Ripon

Seven Questions

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Robert Cowell

Losing spell goes back to his Palace House success two years ago but he has a reduced mark to work with as a result and he ran well when third on his Pontefract reappearance (5f, good to soft) 18 days ago; player if he can build on that.

5/2

Form: 121150 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Front-runner with an excellent strike-rate (12-39), his three wins this year coming over this trip at Newmarket and Windsor (twice); however, he has been below par on his last two outings, failing to beat a rival in a big field at Goodwood last week, so he needs to bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 2

17:40 Windsor

Regal Envoy

8st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: William Knight

7yo who recorded his 13th win when making all off a reduced mark at Bath (5f, good) two weeks ago; 3lb higher on this step back up in grade but he remains well treated on his best form and is 2-2 over C&D, including a success off current mark in this race 12 months ago; key player.

100/30

1st

6

(3)

4th May 2026

Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 3

14:50 Bath

Regal Envoy

9st 4lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: William Knight

Prominent racer; did best of the group to race on the stands' side when third in a 5f handicap at Newmarket three weeks ago; well handicapped on last summer's best and he has a good record at Bath; shortlisted.

7/2

3rd

5

(7)

14th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Newmarket

Regal Envoy

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: William Knight

Multiple wins include this race (good) in 2025, on sole C&D start, then won two of his next three starts; his form died down after that which leaves him well treated again, 5lb lower than his latest win; good claims but he did seem better for his reappearance when coming up trumps last April.

9/2

Form: 634304

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Chased home subsequent Group winners American Affair and Jm Jungle at York (5f, good to firm) in May and he's now 4lb lower in the weights; far from disgraced when fourth over C&D two weeks ago; high on the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

12

(4)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Toca Madera

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Useful on his day for Brian Meehan, third to subsequent Group 1 winner American Affair over C&D (good to firm) last spring off an 11lb higher mark; might have needed both his runs for new connections, midfield over C&D at the Dante meeting last time; very dangerous if staging a revival.

10/1

11th

13

(20)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:20 York

Toca Madera

8st 10lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

His form has gone the wrong way since he was third in this last year (good to firm), behind two subsequent Group-race winners, and he needs a good step forward from his recent stable/seasonal debut at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) where he was seventh; however, he's 8lb lower than 12 months ago and could be just the type that David O'Meara excels with; interesting contender.

20/1

20/1

Form: 37960- D

Last run: 413 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Eight-time winner, not seen since finishing tenth in the Wokingham here in June 2024 (subsequently gelded); has run some good races at Ascot, including when fourth in this event two years ago, and he's well treated if retaining all his ability, but looks a risky proposition after such a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(18)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 143y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Chipstead

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Roger Teal

Eight-time winner and also first past the post in this race in 2022 (demoted to second after causing interference); well treated if retaining all his ability but he was tailed off in the Shergar Cup on his reappearance after a long absence, having hit his head on the stalls; risky.

40/1

10th

4

(5)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

Chipstead

9st 9lb

J: Dario Di Tocco

T: Roger Teal

Eight-time winner, not seen since finishing tenth in the Wokingham here in June 2024 (subsequently gelded); has run some good races at Ascot, including when fourth in this event two years ago, and he's well treated if retaining all his ability, but looks a risky proposition after such a long absence.

20/1

10th

18

(21)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Chipstead

9st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Roger Teal

His most recent wins were 6f on AW but he tends to flag over this trip on turf and his stride shortened in this race 12 months ago; on a more favourable mark now but others should find greater reserves in the later stages.

33/1

Non-runners

Emperor Spirit, Nimitz

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £72.00
Straight Forecast £80.12
Tricast £385.13
Trifecta £444.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Venture Capital

NEWMARKET:

Manaccan

TOPSPEED:

Toca Madera

The Sun:

Vintage Clarets

Daily Mirror:

Dream Composer

RP RATINGS:

Venture Capital

The Times:

Venture Capital

The Guardian:

Venture Capital

D Express:

Venture Capital

Daily Record:

Venture Capital

POSTDATA:

Toca Madera

Telegraph:

Manaccan

Daily Mail:

Manaccan

The Star:

Vintage Clarets