14:50 Ascot

Saturday 11 August 2018

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap) (Rnd)

Off time: 14:53 | Winning time: 1m 43.76s

(2)

Medahim¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Yutaka Take| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| D

8/1

Carried top-weight to victory at Goodwood last week and that was largely hands and heels from his rider in the closing stages in what was a competitive field. Hit the line well that day and the step up trip could unlock more improvement here.

Form: 4-54041

(5)

Shady Mccoy⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: A Kirby| T: Ian Williams| OR: 99| C

9/1

Course winner. Won twice in 2017 and proved this mark may not be beyond him when narrowly denied in a competitive heat at Newmarket three starts back. It's a positive this jockey has ridden him before but he's probably better over 7f than this trip.

Form: 006200

(12)

Red Tea²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P W Hiatt| OR: 98| D

16/1

Got her head in front at Newbury last time but this looks tougher and a 6lb rise is perhaps a little harsh. Stiff nature of this track will suit given she stays further and she's not without each-way claims.

Form: 9-21771

(4)

Mythical Madness^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: A Starke| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

14/1

Ended a losing run at Haydock last month and he's run well in defeat twice since, including when fifth of 17 at Goodwood last week. Perhaps vulnerable for win purposes from his revised mark though.

Form: 665155

(6)

Bless Him^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J Moreira| T: D M Simcock| OR: 97| CD

7/2

Straight course winner over 1m here at the Royal meeting last year. Has been a shade disappointing since but shaped like a return to form was imminent at York last time out and dropped 1lb for that. Can't be ruled out with Moreira in the saddle.

Form: 515-693

(10)

Fire Brigade⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: G Mosse| T: M L W Bell| OR: 97| D

10/1

Looked highly progressive in 2017. Hasn't returned in the same form this year and withdrawn down at the start on veterinary advice at Goodwood last time. Having second start since wind surgery but probably needs softer ground to be seen at his best.

Form: 31-0028

(8)

Across Dubai²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Fran Berry| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| D

9/1

Won his first three career starts but hasn't been able to get his head in front since. Drop back in trip not certain to suit and looks vulnerable from this sort of handicap mark.

Form: 156-530

(11)

Poet's Society⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P Cosgrave| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| D

8/1

Ran a huge race in defeat at Goodwood last time out. 3lb higher here but fast ground over 1m are his optimum conditions and he has each-way claims again if reproducing that effort.

Form: 178502

(9)

Via Serendipity^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Hayley Turner| T: S C Williams| OR: 95| D

7/2

Tough consistent sort who won a valuable handicap back at Sandown in June before placed efforts back at that course and over 1m here on the straight course last time. This is less competitive and he will be hard to keep out of the frame here.

Form: 352134

(3)

Zwayyan^b⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Corey Brown| T: A M Balding| OR: 95| CD

8/1

First Reserve: 5lb better off with Via Serendirpity for a 2¼L defeat at Sandown when last seen. Won on the straight mile here last year and likely one of these will come his way at some point. Can't be ruled out.

Form: 414-425

Non-Runners

(1)

What's The Story¹¹

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: K Dalgleish J: Corey Brown

(7)

Majestic Moon¹⁴

Weight: 8-9| Age: 8

T: Miss J Feilden J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Via Serendipity (7/2), Bless Him (7/2), Zwayyan (8/1), Poet's Society (8/1), Medahim (8/1), Shady Mccoy (9/1), Across Dubai (9/1), Fire Brigade (10/1), What's The Story (10/1), Mythical Madness (14/1), Red Tea (16/1), Majestic Moon (33/1)

A competitive renewal of this contest but MEDAHIM seemed to have a bit in hand when winning at the Goodwood Festival last time out off top weight and it's likely he's still well-handicapped, particularly over this extra furlong. What's The Story will appreciate a return to quick ground here but Via Serendipity may be the main danger given his consistency in recent starts and he ran well on the straight mile here last month when fourth of 27.