August 08 / 15.55 Ascot

15.55

Good To Firm

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

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

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1-1394

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
An improver this season, with his only blip coming on heavy ground in the Italian Derby; got messed about when fourth of the six runners in a 1m2f handicap at Newmarket a month ago (good to firm); not yet exposed and Ryan Moore rides.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(8)

5th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:10 Ascot

Archers Bay

9st 9lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Marco Botti

An improver this season, with his only blip coming on heavy ground in the Italian Derby; got messed about when fourth of six in a 1m2f handicap at Newmarket in July and resumed his progress when readily coming clear in Shergar Cup event over C&D four weeks ago; 7lb higher mark to contend with but he looked worth it last time; considered.

5/1

1st

1

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Archers Bay

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Marco Botti

An improver this season, with his only blip coming on heavy ground in the Italian Derby; got messed about when fourth of the six runners in a 1m2f handicap at Newmarket a month ago (good to firm); not yet exposed and Ryan Moore rides.

5/2

16/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 213134 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
This year's wins at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and Thirsk (1m4f, good) were from the front; last two defeats suggest his progress may have levelled out, for all that he was tried over 1m6f both times; probably needs his best yet.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(8)

24th Sep 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Newmarket

King Of Berkshire

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Front-runner who won at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and Thirsk (1m4f, good) earlier in the year and returned to winning ways at Windsor (11.4f, good to soft) last week; did it by 6l and 6lb penalty may not stop him.

9/4

1st

7

(5)

14th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

16:12 Windsor

King Of Berkshire

9st 6lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

6lb higher than for Thirsk win in June (1m4f, good) but two notable efforts since, last time runner-up to the progressive Archers Bay in a Shergar Cup race at Ascot (good to firm); very solid claims back in a Class 4.

5/2

2nd

7

(8)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

King Of Berkshire

9st 3lb

J: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire

T: Andrew Balding

This year's wins at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm) and Thirsk (1m4f, good) were from the front; last two defeats suggest his progress may have levelled out, for all that he was tried over 1m6f both times; probably needs his best yet.

16/1

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 1-232P

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Competitive in both his handicaps (1m4f) for George Boughey and left that yard for £170,000; likely to win races for Ian Williams, but he was pulled up after never going at Goodwood only ten days ago (1m4f, good to firm; 25-1) and headgear is soon turned to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(12)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Baltic Fleet

8st 4lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ian Williams

2yo maiden winner (good to soft) who has run some good races in defeat in 1m4f handicaps this year, including here (good) in May and when third at Ascot (good to firm) recently in a first-time visor (retained); it's possible 1m6f will suit but others in this line-up appear to be more progressive.

40/1

3rd

3

(6)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Baltic Fleet

9st 10lb

J: Jerry Chau

T: Ian Williams

Competitive in both his handicaps (1m4f) for George Boughey and left that yard for £170,000; likely to win races for Ian Williams, but he was pulled up after never going at Goodwood only ten days ago (1m4f, good to firm; 25-1) and headgear is soon turned to.

16/1

6

(5)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Baltic Fleet

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Ian Williams

Third of 14 on handicap debut at York (1m4f, good) in May and the form of his subsequent second of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) has worked out well; sold out of George Boughey's yard for £170,000 last month and he's in with an each-way shout on this first run for Ian Williams.

20/1

7/4

Form: 34-111 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Stable has captured two of the last four renewals, and this filly is on a roll after completing a hat-trick over C&D a month ago; that was by the skin of her teeth but the second was an improver and the pair were clear; she probably won that day in spite of the steady gallop; strong contender under Saffie Osborne.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(6)

3rd Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

16:25 Haydock

Hoseki

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Caught too far back in a race dominated by prominent racers when her winning run was ended at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last month and that defeat almost certainly shouldn't be taken to suggest that the handicapper has caught up with a filly who holds a Group 1 entry next month; showed promise on her soft-ground debut last autumn; leading claims.

11/8

4th

2

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Hoseki

9st 12lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: William Haggas

Stable has captured two of the last four renewals, and this filly is on a roll after completing a hat-trick over C&D a month ago; that was by the skin of her teeth but the second was an improver and the pair were clear; she probably won that day in spite of the steady gallop; strong contender under Saffie Osborne.

7/4

1st

7

(5)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

16:23 Ascot

Hoseki

8st 2lb

J: Luke Morris

T: William Haggas

Off the mark on her return when landing a Redcar maiden (good to firm) in May and she made a winning handicap debut at Chester (also about 1m2f, good) one month later; pedigree suggests 1m4f will see this unexposed filly progress again.

6/4

Form: 1-9820

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
His nursery win (sole success) was on soft but conditions were good to firm when second to Last Verse in a small field at Chepstow (1m4f), since when he's finished tailed off here after suffering early interference; needs his best form yet even if putting best foot forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(3)

19th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

15:10 Chester

Ohara

9st 5lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Winless this season but he comes here in good form, not enjoying a smooth passage with fourth of six in 1m3f seller at Goodwood last month; very much one to consider from his low berth.

11/1

4th

4

(8)

30th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 44y

Class 3

15:45 Goodwood

Ohara

9st 5lb

J: Oliver Carmichael

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

His nursery win (sole success) was on soft so the recent rain is welcomed; downgraded from running in Ascot handicaps in his last two races.

10/1

Form: -32422

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Irish stable won this two years ago; placed in both his handicaps, the latest when headed late on in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f, soft); suffered another narrow defeat when the standard-setter in a 1m4f maiden at the Curragh (good to firm); hard to call him progressive, but trainer always respected on her forays here and cheekpieces are a first.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(2)

5th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Haydock

Pierre Grosse

8st 11lb

J: Keithen Kennedy

T: Mrs John Harrington

Runner-up on handicap debut at Down Royal (1m5f, soft) in June and filled the same position in a maiden at the Curragh (1m4f, good to firm) in July; however, made it 0-9 when down the field at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago and others have more pressing claims; a first-time tongue-tie replaces the cheekpieces adopted last time.

11/1

8th

5

(9)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Pierre Grosse

9st 9lb

J: L J Ferraris

T: Mrs John Harrington

Irish stable won this two years ago; placed in both his handicaps, the latest when headed late on in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal (1m5f, soft); suffered another narrow defeat when the standard-setter in a 1m4f maiden at the Curragh (good to firm); hard to call him progressive, but trainer always respected on her forays here and cheekpieces are a first.

7/1

2nd

4

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

17:30 Curragh

Pierre Grosse

9st 8lb

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

Sets the standard on 83 after seven runs; one of his best efforts came in a Down Royal handicap last time (1m5f, soft) when headed late on into second; a repeat of that could see him go close.

5/1

25/1

Form: 53-813 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Bought for 20,000gns out of Andrew Balding's yard after winning off 5lb lower at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces); ran okay at Sandown but no more than that in a small field over 1m6f; his new rider will have to navigate from the widest stall.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(1)

7th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Last Verse

9st 8lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Joseph Parr

Made all when winning in first-time cheekpieces for Andrew Balding at Chepstow two months ago (subsequently picked up for 20,000gns); much his best effort to date on AW debut last time (Polytrack) but has paid for that with a 7lb rise; needs more again.

2/1

1st

3

(1)

22nd Aug 2026

Standard

1m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Lingfield (AW)

Last Verse

9st 9lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Joseph Parr

Scored for Andrew Balding at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm) last month in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) and subsequently sold for 20,000gns; has run well at Sandown and Ascot for new stable and should go well on AW debut.

7/1

9th

10

(11)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Last Verse

9st 0lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: Joseph Parr

Bought for 20,000gns out of Andrew Balding's yard after winning off 5lb lower at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm; first-time cheekpieces); ran okay at Sandown but no more than that in a small field over 1m6f; his new rider will have to navigate from the widest stall.

25/1

Form: 84202

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

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

Form: 127212 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 80

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

Form: 04-142 BF

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

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

Form: 476231 D

Last run: 2 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

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

6th

9

(4)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 4

16:15 Yarmouth

Tai Hang Pegasus

9st 7lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Charlie Fellowes

Can lead; he's improved for stepping up to 1m4f in small-field handicaps but he went up 6lb for a Brighton win last month and couldn't sustain the progress at Windsor since; more needed this time.

9/1

3rd

6

(3)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

18:18 Windsor

Tai Hang Pegasus

9st 1lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Steadily progressing in handicaps and he comfortably gained a first success in five-runner event at Brighton (1m2f) 18 days ago; not taken lightly despite a 6lb weights hike.

3/1

11

(2)

8th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

15:55 Ascot

Tai Hang Pegasus

8st 13lb

T: Charlie Fellowes

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £27.60
Straight Forecast £22.16
Tricast £456.11
Trifecta £528.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Hoseki

Telegraph:

Pierre Grosse

NEWMARKET:

Archers Bay

LAMBOURN:

Blue Hercules

TOPSPEED:

Level Look

RP RATINGS:

Hoseki

POSTDATA:

Hoseki

The Guardian:

Hoseki

Daily Mail:

Hoseki

The Sun:

Hoseki

The Star:

Hoseki

D Express:

Pierre Grosse

Daily Record:

Pierre Grosse

The Times:

Archers Bay

Daily Mirror:

Archers Bay