Shergar Cup Preview

Ascot hosts a six race card starting at 12.55 where each race is contested by 10 horses. The jockeys taking the rides are split into teams representing: Britain & Ireland, Europe, the Rest of the World and The Girls Team.

Points are then assigned by finishing position; 15, 10, 7, 5, 3 for the first five horses home. The team with the most points accrued through the day are winners of the Shergar Cup.

12.55 Shergar Cup Mile
Directorship has a good record at the track and was unlucky in the Royal Hunt Cup when only beaten 5.5 lengths. Famous Poet still looks reasonably handicapped and can take a hand by dropping in class, with the in-form Sam Sharp filling the places.
1. Directorship (EUR)
2. Famous Poet (ROW)
3. Sam Sharp (GIRLS)

1.30 Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap
Saptapadi is a class act on his day, extremely well-handicapped and hinted at a revival on his last start at Goodwood. The in-form pair of Broxbourne and Mutual Regard can fill the places.
1. Saptapadi (ROW)
2. Broxbourne (GIRLS)
3. Mutual Regard (EUR)

2.05 Shergar Cup Dash
Plenty of pace in the race which should set-up for closers. Ahtoug has a good record at the track and can improve on last year’s third. Steps should be staying on at the finish, whilst Racy is also in-form but struggles to win.
1. Ahtoug (ROW)
2. Steps (GB&I)
3. Racy (EUR)

2.40 Shergar Cup Classic
A tricky race where everything looks on the upgrade. Chesterfield is very lightly raced and the horse he beat at Newmarket has since run well (both 5l clear of third). Broughton won a strong handicap at Goodwood and should run well again whilst Cardinal Palace could be anything after his 11 length victory at Bellewstown.
1. Chesterfield (GB&I)
2. Broughton (ROW)
3. Cardinal Palace (GIRLS)

3.15 Shergar Cup Challenge
Ustura should be favourite after his third place in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot. Jupiter Storm can bounce back after his flop at Windsor and is well suited by fast ground. Star Lahib is very consistent and can fill the minor places.
1. Ustura (ROW)
2. Jupiter Storm (GIRLS)
3. Star Lahib (EUR)

3.50 Shergar Cup Sprint
After being undone by a slow pace Tassel should get the race run to suit. Shahdaroba is proven over further and will also benefit from a strong gallop. The progressive Noble Deed can fill the places.
1. Tassel (EUR)
2. Shahdaroba (GB&I)
3. Noble Deed (GIRLS)

Predicted Standings
Not taking into account fourth of fifth place finishes, if the races run as predicted then the Rest of the World should win the Shergar Cup at 9/2 (Skybet).

Forecast points (top-3 only):
ROW - 65
EUR - 51
GIRLS - 41
GB&I - 35