ASCOT - SHERGAR CUP

GAVIN Lerena was the star performer as the Rest of the World team gained a narrow victory in a tense Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot on Saturday. The South African jockey completed a 285/1 double with Arch Villain and Danehill Kodiac to put the his team in control, but it took Kenichi Ikezoe’s fourth on Suqoor in the last to edge home by 68-65 from Team Europe, who were responsible for the first two.

ARCH VILLAIN

Lerena’s first victory came on the virtually unconsidered 25/1 chance Arch Villain, who came back to his best to land the Shergar Cup Stayers by a head from 3/1 favourite Sea Of Heaven. The latter seemed to set sail for home a long way out under Ikezoe and early leader Arch Villain moved through to join him again two furlongs out, establishing a narrow advantage that he held all the way to the line.

Following trainers in form is sound advice and winning trainer Amanda Perrett had signalled an upturn in fortunes when winning with the nicely-backed You’re Hired at Glorious Goodwood.

Lerena enjoyed a rather more comfortable success on Richard Hannon’s 10/1 chance Danehill Kodiac in the Classic over a mile and a half. Ikezoe went off very fast indeed on Lord Yeats, surprisingly taking Thierry Jarnet and King Of Dreams with him.

They both dropped out, leaving Danehill Kodiac to take it up and readily hold Perrett’s Combative by two lengths, with Emme-Jayne Wilson third for the Girls on Real Dominion.

Lerena commented: “My saddle slipped on my mount in the last, but luckily it made no difference to the end result. I am very, very pleased with the day. Thanks go to Dubai Duty Free for sponsoring the event.’’

IN SALUTEM HELPS JARNET

Under normal circumstances Lerena might have been expected to win the Silver Saddle for top rider, but it was Jarnet who prevailed, thanks to a first and last race double on In Salutem and Kadrizzi, together with Bancnuanaheireann’s fourth in the Mile.

In Salutem’s Curragh trainer Ken Condon had had runners at Royal Ascot before but never in the Shergar Cup and the veteran Jarnet had never ridden a winner at the track. The 9/2 favourite put everything right, coming from behind the leading quartet to take the opening Dash by an easy two lengths from Line Of Reason, with Out Do third.

In Salutem holds his form well and had finished a good fourth in a very competitive sprint handicap at the Curragh last time. He had no difficulty in dropping back to five furlongs from six.

“He got his ground today as there’s a little bit of moisture in it,’’ Condon commented. “He really enjoyed it. There are not too many opportunities for him in Ireland at the moment, bar the big sprint handicap on Irish Champions Weekend. When we drew Thierry Jarnet I was delighted.’’

“I am delighted to have finally ridden winners at Ascot,’’ the jockey said. “It’s a beautiful racecourse and the competition is fantastic here. Also, of course, I’m delighted to win the award.’’

Jarnet doubled-up when Dean Ivory’s Kadrizzi, 6/1, came from last to first in the closing Sprint over six furlongs. The winner scored quite comfortably, with Pierre-Charles Boudot on runner-up Flying Pursuit ensuring that the Rest of the World team had to take something from the race to hold on. This Ikezoe managed.

TURNER’S BRIEF RETURN

The Girls, captained by Hayley Turner and with Sammy-Jo Bell playing a starring role, won the Shergar Cup last year. Bell is still recovering from a serious pelvic injury, but Turner came out of retirement to take part again and all her hard work in the gym was rewarded as 6/1 shot Early Morning just lasted home in the Mile.

Turner was well away from a wide draw and led, travelling strongly, soon after the turn. Early Morning responded, with the crowd roaring the partnership on.

The leader saw it out but Hannon’s Emell, with Joe Fanning having to switch in the closing stages, was only half a length adrift at the line with Highland Colori right behind.

Turner deserves maximum praise for this effort because it came after a long spell when race-riding seemed behind her. She celebrated in style, waving to the crowd and enjoying the moment, although the stewards imposed a four-day ban for excessive use. There seems no prospect of her returning on a full-time basis, however, and she admitted it was “the daily grind’’ which had affected her most.

She was not getting up on many class horses, either, and that remains the problem for the top women riders in Britain. No one seriously doubts that Michael Bell’s big-race double at Goodwood would have involved Jamie Spencer and Ryan Moore, whether Turner was riding for him or not. She received the award for Ride of the Day - judged by Joe Mercer and John Reid - and said: “It was a steering job, really. If only every day were like this. But I’m really lucky and privileged to be able to come back for the day.’’

HARLEY’S EFFORT

It seems a long while ago that John Quinn rode 150/1 outsider Past Glories into third in the Champion Hurdle. It is in fact 26 years, since when he has become a very successful trainer in north Yorkshire.

This season he has raided more often in the south and he saw Mistiroc, 12/1, land the Challenge over a mile and a half. This featured a fine exhibition of waiting in front by Martin Harley, who realised early on that he had been granted an easy lead. Steadily increasing the tempo, Mistiroc never saw a rival and passed the post just over a length to the good with Duretto second and Darshini third.

It was a fine effort on a special day. Perhaps the Shergar Cup will never satisfy the purists, but there are times when putting on a show is more important and Ascot is managing that to splendid effect. As with the royal meeting, its PR machine is impressive. The late and much-missed Alistair Haggis, whom this unique occasion honours, would be nodding his approval.