Neil Morrice shares all his best bets and tips for Saturday’s Shergar Cup Best Bets Ascot
SHERGAR CUP BEST BETS ASCOT SATURDAY
Race 1 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash Handicap
No8 DREAM COMPOSER
Trainer: James Evans – Jockey: Katie Davis
DREAM COMPOSER reserves his best form for Pontefract but is a winner over the Ascot 1000 metres strip. He regularly shows up for sprint handicaps at the major festivals, and though failing to cut the mustard in both the Dash at Epsom and the Shaker at Goodwood he needs respecting. VESPASIAN would be much shorter than his carded price had he not gone into the injury list following two successes from three races at the 2024 Dubai Carnival. If ready after 519 days off he can earn. TOCA MADERA hasn’t fared well on previous visits to this course, but put in an improved display when fourth at the King George fixture.
Prediction: 1st DREAM COMPOSER, 2nd Vespasian, 3rd Toca Madera
Race 2 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap
No3 DANCING IN PARIS
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Dario Di Tocco
Third in this race when starting favourite in 2024, DANCING IN PARIS can add to his good record at the course. He won here in July last year and the track ideally suits his style of racing. If he can get into the same rhythm as when second to the progressive Sam Hawkens at Goodwood last week he should cause problems to the best of these. SPIRIT MIXER posted a 25-1 shocker in Newcastle’s Northumberland Plate and is closely matched with my selection on that form. Joanna Mason should enjoy a good run through on the gelding, while FIREBLADE ran well on his latest start here to chase home two solid yardsticks, making him one to take seriously.
Prediction: 1st DANCING IN PARIS, 2nd Spirit Mixer, 3rd Fireblade
Race 3 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge Handicap
No5 CANDYMAN STAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Delphine Santiago
Although he’s gone off the boil on his last couple of starts, CANDYMAN STAN could easily bounce back and return to the form of his back-to-back triumphs at Brighton and Lingfield in the spring. He’s been freshened-up since a heavy defeat at Windsor, and with only eight outings in his career still has room for progression. At a much longer price ASGARD’S CAPTAIN can make an impact for South African trainer Dylan Cunha. He’s already attracted each way support. The Charlie Johnston-trained LA PULGA might well head the market under Karis Teeton and brings strong form to the table including a podium finish in Trojan Storm’s race back in July.
Prediction: 1st CANDYMAN STAN, 2nd Asgard’s Captain, 3rd La Pulga
Race 4 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint Handicap
No8 MARCHOGION
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Per-Anders Graberg
From the same stable, MARCHOGION can get into the shake-up on a first visit to Ascot. A winner at Class2 level at Newmarket back in May, he bounced back from an underwhelming run at York to trouble the judge in a better race than this at the July meeting, making him one to take seriously. PRINCE OF INDIA had the Indian sign over my selection by a total of four and a half lengths at Newmarket, but at the revised weights it should be much closer between the pair. MILFORD commands attention after successive defeats at Chester in which he ran well. He’s competitively weighted, and has Hollie Doyle in the irons.
Prediction: 1st MARCHOGION, 2nd Prince Of India, 3rd Milford
Race 5 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic Handicap
No7 TEAM PLAYER
Trainer: Gemma Tutty – Jockey: Dario Di Tocco
As a cast off from a leading Lambourn stable, TEAM PLAYER made an immediate impact for his new handler when scoring at Chester and backed that up with an earning run at Hamilton. He looked moderate before the change of scenery and it could be that he was hiding his light under a bushel. TOPTEAM really turned a corner after entering the handicap arena in the early summer and has gone 111. His front running tactics were beautifully executed at Thirsk, and he could easily try to stage a carbon copy display. TENABILITY is another big chance ride for Delphine Santiago, whilst a pea out of the same pod as Topteam. He made no mistake on his first run in a handicap over course and distance last month, and could have a lot more to offer for the in form William Haggas operation.
Prediction: 1st TEAM PLAYER, 2nd Topteam, 3rd Tenability
Race 6 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile Handicap
No5 URBAN LION (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Hugh Bowman
The best bet on the card is URBAN LION, for whom victory in this would provide compensation for him having to miss Goodwood’s Golden Mile. He hadn’t been quite right before Goodwood, but if near his best should give a good account on the same strip on which he was unluckily beaten in the Hunt Cup in June. He’s a horse with bags of potential, and is a danger to all, especially as his world class pilot Bowman has a close association with the Channons. GOLDEN MIND was doing his best work at the finish when fourth in the International Stakes at the King George meeting and he should enter calculations under Karis Teetan, while ARISAIG is a must for all exotic wagering granted her narrow defeat here in May and subsequent excellent effort in defeat at Sandown.
Prediction: 1st URBAN LION, 2nd Golden Mind, 3rd Arisaig
