Rory Delargy

ASCOT SATURDAY

1:15 DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP DASH STAKES (5F)

Union Rose comes from a yard in tremendous heart all of a sudden, and comes here fresher than most, so can be expected to build on a highly promising fifth to Royal Birth over this course and distance four weeks ago, and he’d have gone close to winning if he hadn’t lugged out into the centre of the track. He needs to avoid those antics if he’s to win, but the relative lack of pace here will suit him more than most, and he’s capable of making the running if needs be. He wasn’t the most consistent last year, but has been gelded since then, and preceded his Ascot run with an excellent second from the worst of the draw at Sandown, suggesting he has returned a more reliable individual.

Gary Moore has endured a torrid summer, but a double on Wednesday gives hope that the yard is emerging from the doldrums, and it wouldn’t do to underestimate Dutch Masterpiece, whose form here reads one win and an agonising defeat in this contest last year. He can race off the same mark as 12 months ago, and has the added benefit of Josephine Gordon’s claim. Willytheconqueror is an improving three-year-old with the ability to take a handy position in a race replete with hold-up types, and he completes the shortlist.

1:45 DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP STAYERS (2M)

Sea Of Heaven is very tempting as a course-and-distance winner on an upward curve, but his jockey is an unknown quantity, and preference at the early odds is for Declan Carroll’s Saigon City. Carroll took a bold initiative in stepping the former Luca Cumani-trained handicapper up to two miles from half that distance, but the ploy quickly paid dividends when the son of Mount Nelson won at York in May, and he followed that with a fine fifth in the Northumberland Plate.

That was his first start on an artificial surface, and he appeals as capable of taking his revival to a new level on turf, given he’s unexposed as a stayer, and that there is clearly no element of fluke about his York success.

He’s another for Josephine Gordon, and it would be ironic if the weighing-room starlet outshone Hayley Turner having come in to this fixture in the most roundabout of fashions.

Many, myself included, thought she ought to have been an automatic choice to ride, and she has a chance to justify that high opinion here.

2:20 DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP CHALLENGE(1M4F)

Duretto has a reputation for wanting softer ground, but he’s got an excellent record here regardless of underfoot conditions, and he would have made it three from three over track and trip but for bumping into the progressive and well-ridden King Bolete in May. His yard continues in excellent form, and the expected strong pace will suit.

We also can’t complain about the excellent Emma-Jayne Wilson, or indeed the wide draw, as that tends to be a positive at this trip, and he has been drawn in similar positions for his last two visits to the venue. Plutocracy was a place behind the selection here in May, and looks a bigger danger than Great Glen, whose win last time came in an uncompetitive maiden at Lingfield.

2:55 DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP MILE

This looks a very weak race for the grade, with a number of the participants running poorly at the course recently, and while he’s never been one to trust implicitly, George Cinqreally ought to go very close. George Scott’s gelding was outbattled at Thirsk last time, and that has been his weakness throughout his career, but he still produced something like a career best in Yorkshire, and has run creditably around a right-handed bend on numerous occasions.

The return to a mile is not an issue, and his trainer has scored with three of his last half dozen runners.

3:30 DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP CLASSIC (1M4F)

Danehill Kodiac was put up here a week ago, but missed his engagement due to quick ground. That scenario may well repeat itself this time with the forecast suggesting little or no rain will hit the track, but the argument made last Saturday still applies, and he’s one to keep onside should he run, while he will surely make an exciting recruit to hurdles in the autumn.

In the absence of Danehill Kodiac, Real Dominion appeals most, and he won well over course and distance last time, when settling better than has been the case. He’s well matched with Emma-Jayne Wilson on that basis, and ought to make a bold bid to defy a 9lb rise in the weights, for all that seems harsh at first glance.

4:05 DUBAI DUTY FREE SHERGAR CUP SPRINT (6F)

Flying Pursuit has run with credit at Newmarket on his last two starts, and looks the likeliest winner of this provided he can avoid the slow start that hampered his chance last time. He would have gone close with an even break there, and his previous eighth came in a hugely competitive handicap won by subsequent Stewards’ Cup heroine Dancing Star.

The pair who beat him last time had also run well in that same contest, and the form looks very strong. The selection can track the front-running Suqoor through, and looks a solid bet, especially as Goodwood eye-catcher Muhadathat may find this extra furlong against her, and isn’t obviously well drawn in the furthest stall from the stands.

One thing is clear from analysing all the Shergar Cup races, and that’s the strength of the hand held by the patronisingly-titled Girls team, and in particular Josephine Gordon, who has a realistic shot at landing the silver saddle for leading rider.

RECOMMENDED

Girls to win Shergar Cup –2pts@ 9/4 (William Hill)

Josephine Gordon to be top rider –1pt@ 8/1 (BetFred, Betfair)

SAIGON CITY 1.45 Ascot – 1pt win @ 15/2 (BetVictor)

DURETTO 2.20 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 6/1 (William Hill)

DONN Mcclean’s

WINNING STREAK

DAI HARRAILD 6/1

DANCING STAR 13/2

With two winners out of two last week. Donn McClean’s net profit for 2016 to date is 65 points and 78.875 points since the column started. Dancing Star was also highlighted for the Stewards’ Cup in Five Things We Learned column a few weeks ago when she was 12/1 and 14/1.