August 09 / 14.45 Ascot

14.45

Good To Firm

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

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

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 80-610 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won this last year (by a head from Dream Harder) off 5lb lower and back to best for an Ayr win (1m5f, good) this June; 1m6f provides a ready excuse for his latest effort, which was also however his first run on good to firm; more interesting back in this race but may need a career best to win it for the second year running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Insanity

10st 1lb

J: Mme Marie Velon

T: Alan King

Has history in this race, having won it two seasons ago and only a length behind Night Breeze last year (good to firm; could have done with a truer gallop); just 2lb higher than 12 months ago and perhaps unwise to come down too harshly on his defeat at Royal Ascot, especially when his comeback run was so encouraging; shortlisted.

11/2

13th

14

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Insanity

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

C&D winner who mostly ran well last season and did so again when second at Pontefract (1m2f) on reappearance this April; each-way chance if he can avoid trouble from an inside stall.

25/1

2nd

2

(9)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Insanity

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Soundly beaten on final run last term but on heavy ground, and it was a campaign in which he frequently ran really well, going close off this mark at York (1m2f, good) in October; won on his reappearance in 2024; respected.

11/2

Form: 692717 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Career highlight was at Royal Ascot 2022 but he capitalised on a career-low mark to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month; long list of possible excuses at Yarmouth 12 days later, so he remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(12)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Claymore

10st 2lb

J: Jerry Chau

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Dropped into a Class 3 when making all at Windsor (extended 1m3f, good to firm) and well beaten off this 5lb higher mark at Newmarket; he can be up and down, and could finish only eighth in this last year.

12/1

8th

4

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Claymore

9st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Often front-runner; won well over C&D on good to firm last July; somewhat back down the weights and in class when winning another Class 3 in seven-runner race at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm; made all) last Saturday in good style; back up 5lb for this Class 2 but each-way claims.

12/1

1st

1

(4)

27th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 3

19:45 Windsor

Claymore

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

A two-time 1m4f scorer in 2025; returned from a spell in Meydan with a solid fifth of 12 in 1m3f handicap at Carlisle four weeks ago; not out of things with Billy Loughnane now up.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 073128 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Usually front-runs; never better than with his first and second at the end of last month, which were on AW however and his top four RPRs have now been registered in that sphere; something to find on turf, including as he was third here (1m6f, good to firm) earlier in July but is now 7lb higher and he dropped out at Chepstow on Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(5)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:35 Hamilton

La Pulga

9st 8lb

J: Archie Young

T: Charlie Johnston

Front-runner who has been keeping busy, winning at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last month and going close on two of his three starts since, most recently beaten half a length at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm); has won here and is capable of another bold bid.

7/1

3

(6)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

La Pulga

9st 13lb

J: Hugh Bowman

T: Charlie Johnston

Usually front-runs; never better than with his first and second at the end of last month, which were on AW however and his top four RPRs have now been registered in that sphere; something to find on turf, including as he was third here (1m6f, good to firm) earlier in July but is now 7lb higher and he dropped out at Chepstow on Thursday.

5/1

Form: 21001- D

Last run: 291 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Slipped badly last summer in his first handicap and boiled over next time, favourite for valuable 1m6f races in both of them; gelded soon afterwards and won with a strong late bid at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) last October; this is a belated reappearance but he surely has more to offer this season, perhaps a good deal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(4)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Newmarket

Dramatic Star

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Improved last year without quite winning; each-way claims if back to best with first-time headgear after two rather disappointing runs in 2026.

9/2

7th

5

(9)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 3lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Not quite at his best at Kempton last month but that came after 94 days off and he could improve for it; held up in slowly run race at Kempton in October when 2l fourth on his sole previous crack at 2m, and he may yet be capable of better at this sort of trip; has won here and could be involved.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Dramatic Star

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Won twice in 2024, including over 1m4f on Tapeta; had only five runs last year but he went close on two occasions, including in a Class 2 at Southwell (1m4f) in November; 2lb higher on his return but he hit a personal best last time and he's a key player on this drop back in grade.

3/1

Form: 7-1107 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Eight races; made the running for all three of his wins, including in handicaps over about this trip on good to firm on first two starts this season, finding plenty to end well on top; couldn't get to the front at Epsom next time and tailed off, with rain-softened ground apparently to blame; no excuse with the ground at Windsor (led over 6f out) on latest start, however, and cheekpieces are now enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(1)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Candyman Stan

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

AW maiden winner and has added two turf handicaps at about 1m4f; less convincing of late and raced keenly when behind Siempre Arturo at Kempton last time.

12/1

7

(4)

6th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:50 Kempton (AW)

Candyman Stan

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Campaigned on turf this term, winning twice in the spring but less convincing since; gained his maiden success (easily) on AW last year and remains unexposed in this sphere.

14/1

5

(8)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Candyman Stan

9st 8lb

J: Delphine Santiago

T: Andrew Balding

Eight races; made the running for all three of his wins, including in handicaps over about this trip on good to firm on first two starts this season, finding plenty to end well on top; couldn't get to the front at Epsom next time and tailed off, with rain-softened ground apparently to blame; no excuse with the ground at Windsor (led over 6f out) on latest start, however, and cheekpieces are now enlisted.

8/1

Form: 014037 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Hit a personal best with his clearcut win off 4lb lower at Epsom (1m4f, good) in April; similar form when third to Claymore at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month and perhaps 1m6f on soft was all wrong for him 12 days later, but he's not been the most consistent this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Asgards Captain

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f so perhaps unwise to read all that much into last two defeats over 2m and 1m6f; not impossibly treated on his solid 1m4f form earlier this season, and last year's efforts included a 2l defeat in this (not seen to best effect) and a victory over Insanity at York (1m4f, good to firm); in the mix.

13/2

6th

5

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: David Egan

T: Dylan Cunha

Seen mostly at up to 1m4f, over which he delivered a telling late challenge on the other Newmarket track in May; while that looked encouraging for longer trips, his one attempt at 1m6f (on soft last July) and two at 2m (last two Northumberland Plates) saw him well beaten; that's not conclusive proof that he won't stay 1m6f but it leaves his stamina unproven.

33/1

12th

11

(13)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Asgards Captain

9st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Three wins at this track but he came 13th in this race last year; that was his only appearance over this long a trip and he was also below form when he had a crack at 1m6f, so he's unproven beyond 1m4f, over which he's contested his last nine starts; stamina is the big doubt.

16/1

Form: -18956 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Ran well on his only visit to Ascot; won reappearance at York (1m4f, good to firm) in May; underwhelming since but he's now only 1lb higher than that last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Great Bedwyn

11st 7lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Richard Hannon

Yet to win this year but he has run several good races in defeat at this trip; the bulk of his racing has been on good ground or quicker so underfoot conditions could be troublesome.

12/1

3rd

4

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newbury

Great Bedwyn

9st 11lb

J: Seamus Cronin

T: Richard Hannon

Beaten on his last 15 starts but placed over 1m4f/1m2f in three of his five races this term; has the form for another prominent finish and is claimer ridden for the first time.

7/2

3rd

2

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:30 York

Great Bedwyn

10st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Beaten on his last 14 starts but he was a good second of 17 over 1m4f here (good) at the Dante meeting in May; freshened up since a disappointing effort at Thirsk six weeks ago.

8/1

Form: 081263 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Both turf wins were at Chester, latest in May; however, he went very close off today's mark against Insanity in this race last year and was not at all disgraced back at Ascot 15 days ago; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

7th Aug 2026

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:18 Haydock

Dream Harder

11st 3lb

J: Mr Jack Loughnane

T: Mark Loughnane

Ex-Ian Williams; first win for current yard with first-time tongue-tie at Epsom last week (1m4f, good to firm), quickening up well after not getting best of runs; could go well with a 4lb penalty although below par two previous runs at 1m6f.

13/2

1st

2

(3)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 5

18:40 Epsom

Dream Harder

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Mark Loughnane

Signed off for Ian Williams with below-par AW run in the autumn and finished last on both turf starts for new stable this year; on good mark now but needs first-time tongue-tie to aid a return to form.

12/1

Form: -41532 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won three times in a row (twice made the running) last summer and back on the scoresheet from Ocean Of Dreams over C&D (good to firm) this May; good third in valuable handicap at Haydock next time and runner-up back over C&D on latest start; looks set to be bang there once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Night Breeze

10st 0lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Ian Williams

Had three of these behind when winning this last year off 11lb lower (good to firm); looks even better now, probably not seen to best effect behind Sportingsilvermine at Newmarket before a sterling effort at Glorious Goodwood over an inadequate 1m2f; likes it here and he's hard to knock.

100/30

3rd

10

(11)

28th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Night Breeze

8st 12lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Runner-up in 2024 on his only appearance at this track; reliable sort who hit new heights over 1m4f on last three outings, so this drop back in trip asks a question but he needs respect.

16/1

3rd

7

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Night Breeze

9st 4lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

Reliable and progressive on a variety of ground and courses, although has never raced at Newmarket; third in this race last year; hit new heights at Epsom (1m4f) on last two outings and makes each-way appeal.

14/1

Form: 8-3663

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
0-8 in handicaps; easily his best 2025 efforts were two thirds over C&D on good to firm, including when on the heels of Night Breeze on latest start, wearing first-time blinkers, but he needs to find extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

25th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newmarket

Houstonn

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Richard Hannon

0-10 in handicaps; twice third over 1m4f at Ascot this year but last two efforts have been below par; dropped another 3lb but it's not enough to tempt.

9/1

1

(6)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:45 Newbury

Houstonn

10st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

0-9 in handicaps; best form when second in the closing 1m2f race on this card last year; some respectable shows over 1m4f too, including with first-time blinkers (kept since) on penultimate start; last of ten back at Ascot last Saturday, admittedly in a Shergar Cup race and not beaten far but others have more pressing claims.

9/1

10

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Houstonn

9st 4lb

J: Ryusei Sakai

T: Richard Hannon

0-8 in handicaps; easily his best 2025 efforts were two thirds over C&D on good to firm, including when on the heels of Night Breeze on latest start, wearing first-time blinkers, but he needs to find extra.

16/1

Non-runners

Ocean Of Dreams

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £34.30
Straight Forecast £37.58
Tricast £158.54
Trifecta £172.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Night Breeze

SPOTLIGHT:

Dramatic Star

RP RATINGS:

Houstonn

The Guardian:

Dream Harder

Telegraph:

Candyman Stan

NEWMARKET:

Dramatic Star

The Times:

Dramatic Star

The Star:

Dramatic Star

POSTDATA:

Night Breeze

Daily Mail:

Night Breeze

D Express:

Night Breeze

Daily Record:

Night Breeze

Daily Mirror:

Houstonn

The Sun:

Dream Harder