August 09 / 16.30 Ascot

16.30

Good To Firm

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap)

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

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 779204

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Effective on all ground; both wins at 6f but very solid at 7f and he ran really well when fourth of 21 here (good) recently; defeat on his one run over 1m, when returning from 12 months off last August, can't be held against him but it still leaves him with stamina to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

12

(4)

3rd Oct 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Golden Mind

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Creditable fourth over C&D in this year's Victoria Cup but his subsequent form, comprising mostly duck eggs, reads poorly by comparison; major resurgence is required.

66/1

10th

2

(1)

5th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Golden Mind

9st 13lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Couldn't set your watch by him but he's a smart performer on his good days, as when beating 21 rivals at Doncaster (6f, heavy) last November; finished fourth in the Victoria Cup here (7f, good) in May, and he is 5lb lower today, but there hasn't been much to cheer since then.

33/1

19th

3

(6)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Golden Mind

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Inconsistent but he is a smart performer, as when beating his 21 rivals at Doncaster last November (6f, heavy); raced exclusively at 7f since, with mixed results, but this mark isn't beyond him and a big run could be on the cards back down in distance.

50/1

Form: -51816 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 0lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Best on good or quicker ground; has progressed as a 4yo, proving a strong finisher over the straight 1m here when winning the Kensington Palace (good to firm; just her second run at the distance) in June; ran flat when returned to 7f in July but this looks more her trip now; can go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(11)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Miss Information

10st 0lb

J: Katie Davis

T: Andrew Balding

Best on good or quicker ground; has progressed as a 4yo, proving a strong finisher over the straight 1m here when winning the Kensington Palace (good to firm; just her second run at the distance) in June; ran flat when returned to 7f in July but this looks more her trip now; can go well.

5/1

1

(7)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:12 Newmarket (July)

Miss Information

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won on the other Newmarket course in May (7f, good) and bounced back from lesser run at Epsom to win the 23-runner Kensington Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last month; this progressive 4yo holds strong claims up 6lb.

11/4

Form: -55202 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Below best behind Miss Information in the 1m fillies' handicap at the Royal meeting, even allowing for racing away from the main action, but she had put up a good show here the time before and she made up a lot of ground to take second of 12 at Sandown (1m, good to firm) in July; can be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(1)

25th Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Arisaig

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Talented mare but she needs things to fall right, as evidenced by her last win coming in July 2024; after a solid start to this year's campaign she couldn't justify favouritism when third in Pontefract Listed event (1m, good; Crystal Flyer second) in July and made no impact in Ascot Group 3 18 days later; narrowly sets the standard, however, and she should be finishing off well in her bid to better last year's third place in this race.

7/2

7th

1

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:20 Ascot

Arisaig

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

Losing run up to 16; has run some fine races in that period but her hold-up style dictates that things need to drop right and she got going too late when third in 1m Pontefract Listed race 18 days ago; prior to that she finished around 2l behind the reopposing Kon Tiki when eighth of 15 to Blue Bolt in the Duke Of Cambridge over C&D at the Royal meeting (good to firm).

25/1

Form: 041808 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won over the straight 1m here in May 2024 and has added four more wins, most recently at Chester (extended 7f, good; off 2lb lower) in May; however, he's not been in enough form since to think this will be his race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

23rd Sep 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Goodwood

Two Tempting

9st 9lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Useful on AW/turf but was below par last time and seems weighted to the hilt back in this sphere; beaten off current mark (finished fifth of 12) in this race 12 months ago.

12/1

10th

1

(6)

5th Sep 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Kempton (AW)

Two Tempting

9st 12lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Tough 7yo with a fine C&D record; might have needed the run at Glorious Goodwood after five months off, and fared much better when fourth at Chester two weeks ago; that should have put him spot-on for this and he has real each-way claims.

10/1

4th

1

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Two Tempting

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

First of two wins over C&D came in this contest in 2024 off 4lb lower; had a fruitful AW winter campaign; reported to have met with a setback when being readied for Chester's May meeting and returned only when beating just one home in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) recently; has a high draw to contend with here and is 3lb higher than his last winning mark.

16/1

Form: 4-1215 D

Last run: 52 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has come into his own since handicapping on good and quicker ground, finding plenty to win at Sandown and doing well to be fifth of 30 in the Hunt Cup here (also 1m, good to firm; checked over 1f out) only four days later; 1lb higher today but he still has scope for improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

26th

8

(22)

26th Sep 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Urban Lion

9st 5lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Reappeared with a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March and he's just 1lb higher today; however, no better than ninth across his four starts since and he needs to get back on track.

40/1

9th

4

(8)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:48 Ascot

Urban Lion

9st 9lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Good fifth over C&D in last season's Royal Hunt Cup (good to firm) and he reappeared with a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March; however, unplaced on his three runs since and has to raise his game.

16/1

9th

3

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Urban Lion

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

Good fifth over C&D in last season's Royal Hunt Cup (good to firm) and he reappeared with a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March; however, well beaten on both starts since; has to get back on track.

14/1

Form: 034752 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has a weights turnaround with Urban Lion on Newbury form in April but the latter has improved since; excellent second in a big 1m Goodwood handicap last week but now on a career-high mark and others may have more up their handicapping sleeves.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(21)

17th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:35 Ascot

Ebts Guard

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Beaten 13 times since his last win last August but he's run several mighty races in the meantime, including when beaten a neck in this last year and when third of 17 to Scoville at Doncaster (1m, good) last time; this two-time course winner could be firmly in the mix once more.

12/1

3rd

3

(3)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Ebts Guard

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Ran well in the face of a tough task when fourth in Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood (soft) a fortnight ago and he returns to a handicap on a mark 2lb lower than when fourth of 28 in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm); has an each-way shout.

16/1

4th

2

(2)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Goodwood

Ebts Guard

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Has lots of form in major handicaps, including a good effort over C&D last year; consistent in the main but faces a stiffer assignment upped to Group level for the first time.

20/1

Form: -B5766 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Multiple wins at home and abroad, including five at Group level on the continent; made the running but the die was cast a long way out on the return to a handicap at Hamilton (about 1m, good) in July on latest start; dropped 5lb but has much to prove with cheekpieces replacing blinkers.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Brave Emperor

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Did well on the AW in his younger days (112112) including a win over C&D, but not seen on an artificial surface since April 2023; showed a bit more when fifth of eight at Haydock (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago and is an interesting contender back on Polytrack; stable also runs Tempus.

9/1

1

(6)

29th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Brave Emperor

10st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Did well on the AW in his younger days (112112) including a win over C&D, but not seen on an artificial surface since April 2023; showed a bit more when fifth of eight at Haydock (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago and is an interesting contender back on Polytrack; stable also runs Tempus.

9/1

5th

2

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

15:05 Haydock

Brave Emperor

9st 13lb

J: William Cox

T: Archie Watson

Has recorded his biggest wins abroad, mostly at Group level; far from solid on 2025 form, latterly in handicaps; best watched unless the market speaks positively.

33/1

Form: 514-50 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Best form when finishing strongly to lead close home at York (1m, good to firm) last August; just two runs this year, following a fair reappearance with a never-sighted run at Goodwood (1m1f) last week; has cheekpieces fitted now but he remains with potential and this stiff test can suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

15

(16)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Treasure Time

8st 11lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins from his 13 starts (all for William Haggas) and, having edged down the weights, he's one to watch in the betting on his first run for the Quinns (remains in same ownership); however, he has a hefty absence to defy and this is a hot race; 0-4 in 2025.

25/1

13th

18

(21)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Treasure Time

8st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Won in a big field at York (1m, good to firm) last August and he's unexposed at today's trip, which could suit; best run of this light campaign came when fourth at Ascot last month but he needs something extra today.

16/1

Form: 340335 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Has a better strike-rate on the AW than grass and, although he ran respectably when fifth of 14 over the straight 1m here a fortnight ago, his overall turf form suggests others will have the edge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(5)

19th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Bath

Talis Evolvere

9st 1lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Multiple AW winner but only 1-25 on turf; ran a solid race last time at Southwell (1m) but likely placed at best here.

13/2

3rd

8

(7)

22nd Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

16:55 Southwell (AW)

Talis Evolvere

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Five AW wins include a C&D success in January off a 7lb higher mark than today's; could have done with a stronger gallop when fifth of eight at Kempton (1m, AW) last month and was reported to have lost a shoe when down the field at Chepstow three weeks ago (only 1-25 on turf); could bounce back returned to this surface.

5/1

10th

2

(16)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 14y

Class 2

16:35 Chepstow

Talis Evolvere

9st 6lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

6lb below his last winning mark and does have form on soft ground, but he finished behind four of these over C&D (good to firm) on his penultimate start and a record of 1-24 on turf does pose a question.

16/1

Form: 705070

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
All wins at 6f and 7f but he stays 1m and has run well over C&D, albeit off a lower mark in an easier race than this; well held on this track last week and looks up against it; yard also has Leadman.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

26th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 212y

Class 2

13:35 Haydock

Cerulean Bay

10st 0lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Added to fine Goodwood record when second of 18 in the Golden Mile off 1lb higher at the Glorious meeting; two below-par efforts have followed but the first was under a new rider in the Shergar Cup at Ascot and he was caught too far back at the York Ebor meeting since; considered.

6/1

12th

3

(9)

20th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

15:00 York

Cerulean Bay

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Uncharacteristically below par at Ascot recently but was under a new rider in the Shergar Cup; he's run really well in defeat under Danny Tudhope in some hot handicaps this year and was second in this last season (good to firm); versatile ground-wise; could bounce back with a big performance.

16/1

9th

1

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Cerulean Bay

10st 1lb

J: Jamie Melham

T: David O’Meara

Finished second behind Ebt's Guard in this race 12 months ago when rated 14lb lower; he has earned his lofty rating since then, winning twice at Goodwood last autumn and recording a career-best RPR when second of 18 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood eight days ago; another big run anticipated.

11/2

Non-runners

Leadman, Silent Age

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £207.10
Straight Forecast £166.50
Tricast £469.20
Trifecta £853.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Urban Lion

TOPSPEED:

Golden Mind

NEWMARKET:

Treasure Time

POSTDATA:

Arisaig

LAMBOURN:

Ebt's Guard

RP RATINGS:

Urban Lion

The Guardian:

Urban Lion

The Sun:

Urban Lion

The Star:

Urban Lion

Daily Mail:

Arisaig

Daily Record:

Ebt's Guard

The Times:

Golden Mind

Daily Mirror:

Golden Mind

Telegraph:

Treasure Time

D Express:

Treasure Time