Ascot Saturday
13.35 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash 5f
Manaccan is not the easiest to weigh up having raced just three times since 2022, but he was a smart sprinter on quick ground as a three-year-old and has looked badly in need of a couple of runs this year.
He was pulled out at Goodwood last week due to unsuitable ground, but gets his conditions here and scored over course and distance in the Listed Rous Stakes at the end of that productive three-year-old campaign, which also saw him successful in this race off a 1lb higher mark.
I get the impression that John Ryan would have risked him last week if he thought the horse wasn’t at his peak, and the fact that he comes here instead suggests that a big run is anticipated. He’s a group horse dropping into a handicap for the first time since landing this prize in 2022 and I think it’s worth risking that he retains all his old ability.
14.10 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers 1m 7f 209yd
While the straight course should cause the various jockeys no issues, Ascot’s round course takes some knowing, and only one non-European rider has won this race in the last decade. Hollie Doyle teamed up with Jessica Harrington to win this two years ago with The Very Man, and the draw has thrown them together again with La Vita Nova, and the daughter of Gleneagles should go close.
A close fourth in a competitive two-mile handicap at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, La Vita Nova again ran well when third to stablemate Mo Ghille Mar at Down Royal, despite looking unsuited by the drop to a mile and five furlongs in a tactical contest.
She will benefit from a well-run race back at two miles and remains unexposed as a stayer.
14.45 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge 1m 3f 211yd
Dream Harder was just touched off by Insanity in this race 12 months ago and enjoys a 5lb pull with that rival now. He also arrives here in better form that Alan King’s charge, having run creditably to finish eight lengths third of five to Pinhole over course and distance last time, whereas Insanity was well beaten at the July Meeting at Newmarket.
He races at a range of trips but seems ideally suited by a mile and a half, with form figures at that trip of 223123 in the last 12 months, and he was drawn widest of all when outrunning 20/1 odds in this contest last season.
Also worth a mention is Asgard’s Captain, who has had excuses recently, failing to stay two miles in the Northumberland Plate and finding a tactical race on softish ground all against him at Yarmouth last time.
He did a lot of his early racing at a mile, but has never finished out of the frame at this trip, landing the Great Metropolitan at Epsom in the spring and placed twice in the Northern Dancer Handicap there over the Derby course and distance.
The question is whether he will be as well suited by Ascot, and indeed whether jockey Katie Davis will cope with the unfamiliar track, which is nothing like she’s faced in the US. Perhaps not today, then, but Asgard’s Captain is one to note for the future.
15.20 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint 6f
With the defection of Dyonisos, Showering moves up from the reserves bench and looks the one to beat in an admittedly competitive three-mile handicap.
The selection lacked experience when behind Hucklesbrook at York in June on what was his handicap debut, but has progressed since, and impressed when beating Milford at Chester last time, still showing signs of greenness, but knuckling down well under pressure to hold on. Milford was caught wide and finished well there, so there may not be much between the pair again, with the handicapper not harsh on either.
Prince Of India took an 11lb rise for winning a traditionally hot handicap at Newmarket last time, but did it nicely there, and isn’t ruled out despite top-weight. I’d happily play the trio mentioned in exotics.
15.55 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic 1m 3f 211yd
This isn’t an easy race to approach with confidence, for all favourite Tenability looks solid.
He was well-positioned when winning a slowly-run contest over course and distance last time and will appeal to many, but is a very short price as a result.
I’d prefer to take a chance on outsider Team Player, who looks an improved performer in his short time with Gemma Tutty, winning at Chester on stable debut and running better still when a four-length third of nine to Spirit Of Jura at Hamilton in a race where he wasn’t placed to advantage.
A strong gallop at this trip will suit the hold-up performer, and he’s unlikely to have reached his peak just yet.
16.30 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile 7f 213yd
A late withdrawal from the Coral Golden Mile at Goodwood last week due to softening ground, Arisaig can make amends by scoring under ideal conditions.
Badly drawn in the Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, she fared second-best of those drawn in single figures in a race that did not suit at all and confirmed previous impressions that she was still improving when second (and best of those who raced off the pace) to Classic in a valuable event at Sandown last time, with Golden Mile fourth Greek Order a place behind her.
The winner of that contest had become very well handicapped, and the form is solid, with Arisaig again shaping better than the bare result. Her previous second over this course and distance saw her finish immediately in front of Zapphire and Roarin’ Success, both of whom were next-time-out winners and, despite creeping up the weights, she appeals as being very fairly treated on the formlines mentioned.
Recommended:
Manaccan 1.35 Ascot – 1pt win 7/1 (general)
La Vita Nova 2.10 Ascot – 1pt win 6/1 (Bet365, 5/1 general)
Showering 3.20 Ascot – 1pt e/w 9/1 (Bet365, 15/2 general)
Team Player 3.55 Ascot – 1pt e/w 14/1 (general)
Arisaig 4.30 Ascot – 2pts win 9/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes, 8/1 general)