August 08 / 14.45 Ascot

14.45

Good To Firm

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

  • Prize money: £41803
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 2
  • 12 runners
ITV
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.95

Form: 341406 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
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.
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

14/1

  • Place: £4.25

Form: 071310 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
His 1m4f win on good to firm at Newmarket in July reads well but has finished behind Castle Stuart in their recent clashes and beat only one home in the John Smith's Cup four weeks ago; probably vulnerable off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(7)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:48 Doncaster

Sportingsilvermine

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Third in this race last year; mostly in fine form this summer, which demands plenty of respect even though the very best of that form came in two performances on good to firm at 1m4f.

12/1

6th

8

(8)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Sportingsilvermine

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: James Owen

Placed twice on soft last year; beat only one home in a top 1m2f handicap here in July but in career-best form over 1m4f (good to firm) either side of that when winning at Newmarket and second in Shergar Cup race at Ascot; needs some respect.

10/1

2nd

8

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Sportingsilvermine

9st 8lb

J: Yutaka Take

T: James Owen

His 1m4f win on good to firm at Newmarket in July reads well but has finished behind Castle Stuart in their recent clashes and beat only one home in the John Smith's Cup four weeks ago; probably vulnerable off this mark.

14/1

25/1

  • Place: £7.70

Form: 310990 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW early this year; only 3-38 on turf but quite encouraging runs in hot 1m3f/1m6f handicaps before finishing tailed off at Newmarket after starting slowly (1m4f); it wouldn't be a bolt from the blue should he run well but others are safer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23

(19)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Enemy

8st 11lb

T: Ian Williams

Reserve; won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW early this year but his strike-rate on turf is only 3-39 (last win in January 2023); close third at Ascot (second-time cheekpieces) two weeks ago was his best turf result for ages but he's been 14th, 16th and 20th when outsider in his three previous Ebors.

50/1

3rd

5

(5)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Enemy

9st 12lb

J: Mme Frida Valle Skar

T: Ian Williams

Won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW early this year; only 3-38 on turf but quite encouraging runs in hot 1m3f/1m6f handicaps before finishing tailed off at Newmarket after starting slowly (1m4f); it wouldn't be a bolt from the blue should he run well but others are safer.

25/1

12th

6

(9)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Newmarket (July)

Enemy

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Ian Williams

Won 1m4f/2m handicaps on the AW early this year; beaten just over 7l in hot handicaps at Carlisle (1m3f) and Royal Ascot (1m6f) on last two outings, shaping much better than ninth of 16 suggests in the latter (big move to dispute lead early in straight) but his turf strike-rate is 3-37.

33/1

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 9/952- D

Last run: 248 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Useful at her best in South Africa; steady progress in three runs for William Haggas, last time going close in a Class 2 1m3f handicap on the AW in December; couldn't put it past her trainer having her cherry ripe after a break for this, a race he won four years ago; stays this far but fast ground would be a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Frances Ethel

10st 0lb

J: C Y Ho

T: William Haggas

Useful at her best in South Africa; steady progress in three runs for William Haggas, last time going close in a Class 2 1m3f handicap on the AW in December; couldn't put it past her trainer having her cherry ripe after a break for this, a race he won four years ago; stays this far but fast ground would be a first.

13/2

3

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket

Frances Ethel

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Four wins in a row last January-April (1m-1m4f) before her close fourth in 1m2f Grade 1 that May; went off the boil last November and now has her first run since leaving South Africa; probably needs overall improvement.

25/1

Form: 341233 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(1)

12th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:48 Doncaster

Night Breeze

9st 4lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Highly reliable in the last two seasons and he's never been better than in recent outings, mostly at 1m4f but also over 1m2f at Glorious Goodwood on penultimate start; should be bang there.

9/1

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

11/2

Form: 220-20 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 1lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: 60-504 C

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Veteran with ten wins to his name; behind some of these on two visits to York this summer but wasn't disgraced in a C&D handicap 15 days ago on a rare foray over this far; could have some part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(1)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Ed Walker

Veteran with ten wins to his name; behind some of these on two visits to York this summer but wasn't disgraced in a C&D handicap 15 days ago on a rare foray over this far; could have some part to play.

7/1

4th

6

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:05 Ascot

Fantasy Believer

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

In the veteran stage now but his two runs at York this term prove he still retains ability, latterly when sticking on into midfield in valuable 10.5f event a fortnight ago; his sole start at 1m4f (in December 2024) returned his best RPR and this second attempt is well worth another go.

16/1

12/1

Form: 778518 C

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Form: -66023

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Can race freely and hooded for his last two races at York, in the latest finishing a highly respectable third (promoted from fourth) in the John Smith's Cup (extended 1m2f; good to firm) for which he was 4lb well in; now 3lb higher and surprisingly goes without any headgear, but he's got some momentum behind him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(12)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 3

15:15 York

Castle Stuart

9st 10lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Disappointed at the Shergar Cup at Ascot (no headgear) but all his best form is here and has been close up in three visits since June (hooded for all those), including the John Smith's Cup; again behind the winner of that race here 15 days ago but it was another sound run; he's handicapped about right but has solid claims.

9/2

5th

14

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Castle Stuart

8st 13lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Won on soft as 2yo; good C&D record includes a third in this race last year and two placed efforts (latterly John Smith's Cup) in a hood this summer; the hood was left off when well beaten over 1m4f at Ascot a fortnight ago but returns now; capable of bouncing back with each-way claims at a venue which suits, particularly with the yard going well.

18/1

9th

7

(8)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Castle Stuart

9st 8lb

J: L J Ferraris

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Can race freely and hooded for his last two races at York, in the latest finishing a highly respectable third (promoted from fourth) in the John Smith's Cup (extended 1m2f; good to firm) for which he was 4lb well in; now 3lb higher and surprisingly goes without any headgear, but he's got some momentum behind him.

6/1

10th
10 (3)
Stem

7/1

Form: 2-9041

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Looked as though he needed further than 1m when a rallying fourth at Newmarket in June and he duly obliged returned to 1m2f at Sandown; didn't have a lot in hand that day but only went up 2lb and he could approve for going even further this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(4)

19th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:47 Newbury

Stem

8st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard Hannon

Ran creditably at Sandown last time, taking record in 1m2f handicaps to 213; runner-up in both attempts under Jamie Spencer, including over 1m on this card 12 months ago; may still have more to offer over this distance; very solid claims.

8/1

3rd

12

(6)

29th Aug 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

14:15 Sandown

Stem

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Only 2lb higher than when winning over C&D (good to firm) in July, and he's still well handicapped judged on the pick of his form from last autumn; saddle slipped when down the field in the Shergar Cup three weeks ago; tactically versatile, and plenty of rain would not inconvenience him in the slightest; has rock-solid credentials.

9/1

10th

10

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Stem

9st 6lb

J: Jamie Melham

T: Richard Hannon

Looked as though he needed further than 1m when a rallying fourth at Newmarket in June and he duly obliged returned to 1m2f at Sandown; didn't have a lot in hand that day but only went up 2lb and he could approve for going even further this afternoon.

7/1

16/1

Form: /88-50

Last run: 106 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

16:25 Sedgefield

Genealogy

11st 3lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Faye Bramley

Ex-Irish; didn't need to run up to his best when a narrow winner of a Stratford maiden last month (2m, good to firm; 1-2 shot, first run after wind op); well beaten in decent 1m4f York handicap last week; obvious contender on first try at 2m4f.

4/6

11th

14

(13)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

16:10 York

Genealogy

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Faye Bramley

Formerly with Aidan O'Brien and Denis Hogan; well held on the Flat in Ireland this April; had wind surgery after failing to land the odds (bled from nose) in a maiden hurdle in June on debut for Faye Bramley; no mistake at 1-2 in a similar event at Stratford in July, which is far removed from today's task, though, and a big career best is needed on this.

16/1

11

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Genealogy

9st 5lb

T: Faye Bramley

16/1

14/1

Form: 936881

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(8)

18th Sep 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newbury

Parlando

10st 1lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Ian Williams

Two AW wins in December and he returned to winning ways at Chester (10.3f, good) in July; not so good at Windsor five weeks ago and likely vulnerable to younger rivals.

14/1

4th

5

(5)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

Parlando

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Had gone badly off the boil but back in a Class 4 he came from behind to score narrowly at Chester (extended 1m2f); if he's turned a corner then likely to have some say off 3lb higher.

13/2

12

(4)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Parlando

9st 3lb

T: Ian Williams

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £97.70
Straight Forecast £102.34
Tricast £2714.36
Trifecta £2907.40

Selections

The Guardian:

Night Breeze

RP RATINGS:

Stem

NEWMARKET:

Asgard's Captain

POSTDATA:

Fantasy Believer

SPOTLIGHT:

Castle Stuart

Telegraph:

Sportingsilvermine

TOPSPEED:

Insanity

The Star:

Stem

Daily Mail:

Night Breeze

D Express:

Night Breeze

Daily Mirror:

Night Breeze

The Sun:

Night Breeze

Daily Record:

Night Breeze

The Times:

Asgard's Captain

LAMBOURN:

Fantasy Believer