The Shergar Cup is the headline event in racing this weekend. However, the ITV cameras are also at two other tracks on Saturday.
Matty Sutcliffe has three Shergar Cup tips to follow at Ascot, while also picking a selection in Newmarket‘s opener.
Newmarket Racing Tips (Saturday 8 August)
Only the opener at Newmarket is live on ITV on Saturday, with Matty’s selection running in that race, the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes.
13:55 Newmarket – Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (2yo) – Martinet 10/1 1pt EW 2 places
Graceful Song created a nice impression here on debut last month and is entitled to improve further, but it wasn’t an entirely dominant performance and I’d also question the strength of the form.
On the contrary, the exceptionally bred Martinet looked very smart when bolting up at Thirsk By Frankel out of the dual Group 1 winning Dubawi mare Coronet, Marinet made a solid debut when fourth at Wolverhampton, behind a subsequent winner for William Haggas in third.
Then on her turf debut, she broke smartly to the inside under Jack Gilligan to make the running. She stole a length on her rivals off the turn and still travelled strongly. She quickened in seriously impressive fashion, going clear and still looking a touch unfurnished despite winning eased down.
The manner in which she both lengthened and quickened, posting the highest stride frequency and stride length, suggests she could be very talented and evidently adopts a lethal turn of foot. That style of racing will be well suited to a course that can favour a front runner, and she can prove the main danger to the favourite.
Shergar Cup Racing Tips @ Ascot (Saturday 8 August)
The ultimate international racing competition takes place at Ascot on Saturday as the Shergar Cup has attracted Ryan Moore among others to the jockeys’ tournament. Matty has three selections on the card, including a Moore-ridden favourite.
14:10 Ascot – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) – Shrimp Shady 100/30 1pt WIN
Andrew Balding has won this race twice since 2018 and Ryan Moore is booked for the improving Shrimp Shady for team GB&I.
The Mastercraftsman colt is still somewhat unexposed on turf with form figures of 1711. The sole defeat came when running freely at Newmarket, which can be excused. His penultimate turf success came in the Chester Plate, before landing a competitive handicap at Newbury last time out. He travelled like a very well handicapped horse there, and gamely fended off the improving Team Player.
He was put up just 3lbs for that success, and with Ryan Moore booked, he looks well suited to this task and it wouldn’t be a surprise if his team mate, Pole Star, dictates the run of the race for him.
14:45 Ascot – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) – Fantasy Believer 13/2 1pt WIN
Not many in here look particularly well handicapped bar Fantasy Believer who would arguably want it softer, but the going stick has much more ease in it on the round course and that may be sufficient enough for the nine year old to put his best foot forward.
Seven of his ten wins have come between the months of July-September, and he shaped like coming back to the boil when fourth to the impressive Al Azd over course and distance two weeks ago.
That was a similar contest strength wise, and he’s dropped 2lbs to his last winning mark. He’s won twice here, both under Saffie Osborne who’s responsible for 50% of his victories, and retains the partnership once more.
15:20 Ascot – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – May Angel 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
May Angel has run some excellent races in defeat this season and despite having just one win to his name, his turn looks near.
The son of Dark Angel was a neck behind Colori Forever at Newbury on seasonal debut, giving him 5lbs with that one now rated 13lbs higher on 103. He was admittedly beaten three lengths by him next time out when third here over seven furlongs, but he was keen there and failed to see out the trip as strong as a result.
They then dropped him to five furlongs for the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes and take out the impressive American winner he wasn’t all that far behind the second when fourth in his group. The fourth and sixth have already won since and the seventh was third in a competitive handicap at Goodwood next time out.
He marginally improved on that back up to six furlongs when behind a few of these at Newmarket, staying on well in his group of three on the nearside shaping again as if needing a step up in trip.
Now he’s seemingly settling in his races, this step back up to seven at a track he runs well at can suit and he looks overpriced with the favourite given their efforts against each other last time out.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 8 August
13:55 Newmarket – Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (2yo) – Martinet 10/1 1pt EW 2 places
14:10 Ascot – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) – Shrimp Shady 100/30 1pt WIN
14:45 Ascot – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) – Fantasy Believer 13/2 1pt WIN
15:20 Ascot – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – May Angel 9/1 1pt EW 3 places
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Newmarket & Ascot on Saturday 8 August.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 9.55am on Friday 7 August.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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