14:15 Ascot

Saturday 11 August 2018

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 2m 32.12s

(5)

Eddystone Rock⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Best| OR: 95

7/1

Has just won once in 17 starts for this yard, a valuable handicap at York last year. Back down below that winning mark now but there's a suspicion he will have wanted some cut in the ground to be seen at his best.

Form: 900509

(12)

Majeed⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Yutaka Take| T: D M Simcock| OR: 95

12/1

Belatedly got his head back in front at Windsor last time when staying on best of his rivals. Looks very well-handicapped on old form and while a strong gallop is key to his chance, he should get that here. Leading claims.

Form: 504261

(11)

Twin Star⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

13/2

Hasn't won since his maiden success at Navan. Ran okay over C&D two starts back but probably needs more relief from the handicapper before he gets his head in front.

Form: 055-355

(9)

Machine Learner²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Fran Berry| T: J Tuite| OR: 92| C| D

6/1

Won on debut for this yard and put a run of heavy defeats behind him with a win over 1m6f here last time out. Will need a strong gallop to aim at over this trip but a 5lb rise for his win is fair and he has each-way claims again.

Form: 4270-01

(8)

Koeman¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J Moreira| T: M R Channon| OR: 91| CD

3/1

C&D winner last time out when narrowly hanging on despite hanging right in the closing stages. Doesn't look like the easiest sort (can race keenly) but a 4lb rise is fair enough and retained his form well once he hit some form last year.

Form: 274741

(3)

Nicholas T¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Per-anders Graberg| T: J S Goldie| OR: 91

20/1

All four of his wins have come over 1m. Markedly back up in trip here, not certain to stay and may need some relief from the handicapper before he gets his head back in front.

Form: 020229

(10)

Humble Hero^b1,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Corey Brown| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| D

7/1

Running well in defeat throughout most of 2018 and probably didn't see out the trip last time out at York. First-time blinkers could see him to better effect given that he hasn't looked the most convincing in the finish and yard are in fine form.

Form: 0-92334

(2)

Maori Bob¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M L W Bell| OR: 90| D

8/1

Rattled off a hat-trick towards the back end of last year and proved his revised mark wasn't beyond him with two wins this campaign. Will appreciate a return to quicker ground here and he looks progressive; can't be ruled out.

Form: 933113

(7)

West Coast Flyer³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: G Mosse| T: D M Simcock| OR: 90| D

16/1

Five time winner on the AW but yet to win in four starts on turf. Ran well over 2m at Kempton last time out and drop back in trip is a positive but needs to prove he's as effective on this surface.

Form: 0/80-515

(1)

Genetics³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A Starke| T: A M Balding| OR: 84| D

9/1

Second Reserve: Likely pace angle if he gets in to the race, though missed the break when winning at Brighton last time out. 4lb rise for that win quite possibly stiff enough though and this is tougher.

Form: 364121

Non-Runners

(4)

Reshoun²¹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: A Starke

(6)

Theglasgowwarrior¹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: J S Goldie J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Koeman (3/1), Machine Learner (6/1), Twin Star (13/2), Eddystone Rock (7/1), Humble Hero (7/1), Maori Bob (8/1), Genetics (9/1), Majeed (12/1), Reshoun (14/1), West Coast Flyer (16/1), Nicholas T (20/1), Theglasgowwarrior (20/1)

MAORI BOB looked progressive prior to his last run when the ground was a feasible excuse for his defeat and with the step back up in trip likely to be in his favour, he could prove hard to beat. The well-handicapped Majeed couldn't be ruled out if he gets a decent pace to aim at and Koeman won over course and distance last time and has claims if he settles .