15:25 Ascot

Saturday 12 August 2017

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 2m 36.76s

(6)

Kasperenko^b³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: A de Vries| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 95| D

15/2

In fine form this season winning twice and finishing second twice from four starts. Latest victory came on his first try over this trip at Doncaster (good-to-firm) in first time blinkers (retained) last time out. Races off an 8lb higher mark and interesting in this.

Form: 63-2121

(10)

Contango²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: A M Balding| OR: 92

2/1

Unbeaten in three starts since making his debut over 1m at Leicester (good-to-soft) in June. Most recent victory came by 11L over 1m2f at Newmarket (soft) and every chance he will prove capable of defying a 10lb rise for that victory upped in trip today.

Form: 111

(9)

Appointed¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: A Pietsch| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92

10/1

Winner of three of her nine starts to date. Most recent of those came over an extended 1m2f at York (good-to-soft) last month. Races off a 4lb higher mark today and steps up to this trip for the first time.

Form: 210-261

(11)

Reachforthestars¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: U Rispoli| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91

16/1

Victorious over an extended 1m2f at Haydock (soft) in June but disappointing in two subsequent starts including over C&D on good-to-firm next time out. Return to forecast soft ground looks likely to suit in this contest.

Form: 7-64107

(5)

Bear Valley⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 88

9/1

Finished runner-up on his first outing since being gelded and placed third in a C&D handicap at the Royal meeting here in June. Disappointing in three starts since and back down to the mark he ran off when placed here two months ago.

Form: 623088

(2)

Hold Sway^b1⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Appleby| OR: 87| BF

7/1

Broke his maiden over 1m2f at Newmarket (good-to-soft) in May and ran well when third at Sandown (good) on his handicap debut next time out. Gelded since and could finish only fifth over 1m2f at Goodwood (soft) earlier this month. Steps up in trip here.

Form: 232135

(8)

Glenys The Menace²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: A Delpech| T: J R Best| OR: 82

8/1

Attempting to complete a treble when finishing runner-up over 1m2f at Sandown (soft) two days ago. Was racing off a mark 9lb higher than when winning at Chester over an extended 1m2f prior to that and she remains of interest today.

Form: 342112

(1)

Italian Heiress¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Tosaki| T: C G Cox| OR: 81

20/1

Five race maiden and beaten a short-head when contesting a handicap over 1m2f at Leicester (good) last time out. Races off a 4lb higher mark today on her first try at this 1m4f trip.

Form: 3-3352

(4)

Rake's Progress¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: N Callan| T: H Main| OR: 81

7/1

Twice a winner this season including over 1m2f at Newbury (soft) last time out. Has been raised 8lb for that effort and small yard are in good form with three winners from their last five runners.

Form: 61-1351

(3)

Mister Blue Sky²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: S Kirk| OR: 79

16/1

Successful on good ground over 1m2f at Windsor on his penultimate outing. Well held over this C&D on similar going subsequently but worth a check in the market today.

Form: 2-71617

Non-Runners

(7)

Star Of The East⁸

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Contango (2/1), Rake's Progress (7/1), Hold Sway (7/1), Kasperenko (15/2), Glenys The Menace (8/1), Bear Valley (9/1), Appointed (10/1), Mister Blue Sky (16/1), Reachforthestars (16/1), Italian Heiress (20/1), Star Of The East (25/1)

CONTANGO has looked a useful individual in his three wins so far and he can maintain his unbeaten record here following a 10lb rise for his latest victory. The selection tackles this trip for the first time today but looks likely to stay this far and can see off Rake's Progress who ran well when successful on soft ground last time out and is another stepping up in trip today. Kasperenko carries top weight on this occasion and having won at Doncaster in first time blinkers last time out can claim third today.