The Shergar Cup is always a fun event, bringing together jockeys from around the world to contest six highly competitive handicaps at Ascot. GG editor Joe Napier has looked through the card and found four best bets.
1.35 Ascot – Shergar Cup Dash
Poor Apollo One seems destined for a career of near-misses in big handicaps and though this represents another decent opportunity, the 5f trip might be on the sharper side for him. The viable betting alternative looks to be KYLIAN, who appeared to be a very promising sprinter as a two-year-old, but has always been a bit erratic.
That bodes well for a gelding operation to have made a bit of a difference since his last run. While his form this term has not been as strong yet for Archie Watson, who he joined from Karl Burke’s yard, he was fourth in Listed company to Big Evs at York and was not disgraced in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at the royal meeting. Hopefully his Doncaster disappointment most recently can be put behind him, and down another 4lb in the handicap, he could well prove dangerous soon.
3.20 Ascot – Shergar Cup Sprint
Billy Loughnane has a great chance to give the hosts a win with Jarraaf running for the in-form Owen Burrows and seemingly progressive as a sprinter. That said, punters of his at short prices should be wary that his course and distance victory last time did not look to be against the strongest line-up.
An alternative for each-way bettors is Irish raider GRAND CITY HALL, the mount of Joanna Mason for the girls’ team. He has maintained fantastic consistency throughout his career, and even more so this season, only running one below par race when repeatedly short of room at Naas two starts back. Either side, he had finished a clear second of ten at Fairyhouse at this distance, then third in a hot handicap over an inadequate 5f.
He has shown enough on a racecourse to suggest he may still be progressing and looks a worthy play to take on the favourite.
3.55 Ascot – Shergar Cup Classic
Ready preference is for SOLOMON, who looks a good bet if going off odds against. He competed in some strong all-weather novice events earlier in the year, and put a handicap debut disappointment behind him at Haydock last weekend.
He was very well supported and duly delivered to win by nearly four lengths over 1m2f. However, he should be absolutely fine with this extra two furlongs being a half-brother to 1m6f Melrose handicap winner Soulcombe, and he gets to run off the same mark as he did six days ago. It will take a significant leap for his opponents to get near him, and Italian jockey Alberto Sanna has picked up a plumb ride.
4.30 Ascot – Shergar Cup Mile
An outsider is tipped to spring an upset for Great Britain and Ireland in the final contest. New Image and Carrytheone have high class summer handicap form to their names, but both look like they may be reaching their handicap limit, whereas TACARIB BAY has sunk down the weights.
Richard Hannon had been enduring a slightly tough spell by his standards, but sent out two winners on Thursday. His five-year-old here was a Listed winner as recently as last November, but has traditionally contested races over 1m and still looks comfortable enough at this trip.
His last course and distance run came in October 2022 when third in the Balmoral Handicap off 104 (7lb higher than his current mark), while he finished first of his group in the International Stakes last term off 103 (6lb higher). His one run on suitable enough going this term saw him drawn horribly in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, but he was competitive enough in that section, and there is a chance he could be dangerous again now.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Punts – Six Selections at Ascot, Haydock and Newmarket
Matty Sutcliffe has a keen eye on proceedings on Saturday. Across the three televised meetings, he has six value tips to fill your bet slips. 2:25 Haydock – Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95) – Kilt 5/1 1pt WIN + Cruyff Turn 12/1 0.5pt EW 4 places The…
Thu 08 Aug 2024
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