The Shergar Cup is one of the more unique days in the racing calendar and is seen as a bit of a ‘marmite’ fixture – you either love it or you hate it! However, this years looks a tasty prospect to look forward to, with four-time winning captain Frankie Dettori returning to lead the European side on his final Shergar Cup appearance.
The Tote are guaranteeing £150,000 in the Placepot for it, so our editor has given his selections in an attempt to land the big prize pot.
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Leg 1: 1.35pm
Leg 1 Selections: (7) Rogue Lightning (6) Bond Chairman
The drop back to the minimum trip, gelding operation and the application of a hood seemed to work wonders for ROGUE LIGHTNING last time out, who bolted up to win at Doncaster, despite being slowly away. That win saw him raised 7lb in the ratings but he still looks the one to beat here, providing he handles the softer ground.
The other one I want to side with is BOND CHAIRMAN, who might not run if the ground doesn’t dry up, but I hope connections give him the chance. He won well on seasonal reappearance at Doncaster back in June and was less than three lengths behind Intrinsic Bond at Ascot last month. He’s now 8lb better off with that rival and I expect him to go close here, if connections keep him in the race.
Leg 2: 2.10pm
Leg 2 Selections: (3) The Grand Visir (9) The Very Man
THE GRAND VISIR has to be in the reckoning, with his fine record (12382) at Ascot a big plus point. Having placed in four of his five runs at the course, he looks a solid option to do so again. He’s down to his lowest mark for almost five years and I think he has a big chance here.
The Irish team also have a good chance with THE VERY MAN, who was last seen chasing home the now 100 rated Teed Up at Galway. A repeat of that performance would see him go close, and we know he’ll relish the cut in the ground.
Leg 3: 2.45pm
Leg 3 Selections: (11) Pride Of Priory (8) Scampi
with East Asia a non-runner, it means first reserve PRIDE OF PRIORY gets in and he can repeat last years win in the race. He’s back down to the same mark he won this on last year and has top jockey Frankie Dettori on board, so everything points to him having a big chance.
I’ll also add in SCAMPI, who has woman of the moment Saffie Osborne on board. Andrew Balding’s gelding wasn’t beaten far on his last attempt at this trip and he’s got a 66% (2/3) place-rate when racing in August.
Leg 4: 3.20pm
Leg 4 Selections: (9) Empirestateofmind (1) The Wizard Of Eye
Perotto looks too short here and I’m willing to leave him out of my placepot and side with two others – EMPIRESTATEOFMIND and THE WIZARD OF EYE. The former has an excellent record when racing in August and loves soft ground so should go close, whilst the latter finished ahead of Perotto at Goodwood last time out and is better off at the weights this time around, so should confirm that form.
Leg 5: 3.55pm
Leg 5 Selections: (3) Like A Tiger (2) Struth
There wasn’t much to separate LIKE A TIGER and Regal Empire at Yarmouth in the Racing League last month, but it’s the former I want to side with. That was his first race back following a break and he should improve for the run, and he looks to have his preferred ground too. Saffie Osborne gets the ride and she can do no wrong at the moment.
I also quite like the chances of the outsider STRUTH, who drops in class and has cheekpieces fitted for the first time. He’s won on soft ground previously and went close on his last visit to Ascot, finishing third behind Oneforthegutter and La Yakel last month. Dropped to a mark of 94, I wouldn’t be surprised if he finished in the top three.
Leg 6: 4.30PM
Leg 6 Selections: (3) Washington Heights (9) Bonny Angel
Fingers crossed we’re still in the placepot as we head into the final leg, and I’m confident with one in particular here – WASHINGTON HEIGHTS. He may have been beaten the last three times by Quinault, who looks set to go off favourite here, but the selection will handle the cut in the ground better and is 12lb better off with that rival compared to their last encounter. I make him one of the best bets on the Ascot card on Saturday.
Just to play it safe I’ll also add in BONNY ANGEL, who was just over 3 lengths behind Washington Heights at Newmarket in May and is 10lb better off here. She looked in need of the run last time out following an 87 day break and if she comes on for the run, she’s capable of running into a place here.
Suggested Placepot
Leg 1 Selections: (7) Rogue Lightning (6) Bond Chairman
Leg 2 Selections: (3) The Grand Visir (9) The Very Man
Leg 3 Selections: (11) Pride Of Priory (8) Scampi
Leg 4 Selections: (9) Empirestateofmind (1) The Wizard Of Eye
Leg 5 Selections: (3) Like A Tiger (2) Struth
Leg 6 Selections: (3) Washington Heights (9) Bonny Angel
64 Lines x 25p = £16
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Pointers and Punts – Saturday, 12th August
Matthew Sutcliffe looks back on the previous weekend for smart performances, as well as picking the best value plays ahead of Saturday’s action. He highlights the horses who caught his eye at Glorious Goodwood, as well as some who impressed him at Doncaster and Newmarket. His selections this week include a strong fancy in Sweet…
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