15:25 Ascot

Saturday 11 August 2018

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 33.04s

(11)

Berkshire Blue³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: J Moreira| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| D

9/2

Won a Class 6 Novice event at Wolverhampton two starts back but well beaten in Group company on his third career start last time out. Form of his win isn't working out well and the handicapper has taken no chances with his opening handicap mark.

Form: 417

(8)

Gossip Column⁶^{(ex 3)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: A Starke| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| D

10/3

Has won four times in six starts this year and he looks like a straightforward sort who is tough to pass from the front. Just has a 3lb penalty for his latest success and looks sure to go well.

Form: 121141

(2)

Bayshore Freeway⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G Mosse| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85| D

8/1

Unraced as a juvenile but she's been in good form this year, winning three small field events on quick ground. This looks tougher and not guaranteed an easy lead here but she's the type to carry on progressing for these connections.

Form: 211413

(9)

Blue Laureate¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85

12/1

Won a maiden at Doncaster as a two-year-old but he's been struggling this year, well beaten in three starts in Meydan and unsuccesful in two runs for this yard. Well beaten runner-up in a three-runner affair last time out and others preferred.

Form: 4-50072

(4)

Sergio Leone⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Corey Brown| T: R Hannon| OR: 84

5/1

Gained his first win of 2018 at Newbury over 1m and only narrowly denied in two subsequent starts, including at Goodwood last time when stepped up to 1m3f last time. Shapes like he will stay this trip and he's a leading player off a 4lb higher mark.

Form: 467122

(5)

Jazeel¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Per-anders Graberg| T: M R Channon| OR: 84

8/1

Gained a second career win at Sandown last time and gave the impression he could be even better over this trip. 4lb rise looks lenient and there's no obvious reason why he won't go well again.

Form: 773331

(7)

Bajan Gold^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: S C Williams| OR: 82

4/1

Gained back-to-back wins at Windsor and then Lingfield this year and only narrowly denied over C&D last time out. That looks like solid enough form and while 3lb here, he can't be ruled out.

Form: 2-01132

(10)

Technological³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: G G Margarson| OR: 82| D

20/1

Won twice on AW this winter but his turf form has been poor and he didn't beat a rival home at Windsor last time. Hard to fancy on all known form.

Form: 121875

(6)

Bubble And Squeak²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: S Kirk| OR: 82

12/1

Gained her only career win at Goodwood in May. Flying too high at the Royal meeting here but she wasn't disgraced over the mile here last time. Some hope in her pedigree she will stay this far but must improve.

Form: 23-5103

(3)

Sarvi³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J S Goldie| OR: 70

50/1

Unplaced in each of her four starts and hard to fancy from out of the handicap in this contest.

Form: 4463

Non-Runners

(1)

Corelli⁹¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 3

T: J & T Gosden J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gossip Column (10/3), Corelli (10/3), Bajan Gold (4/1), Berkshire Blue (9/2), Sergio Leone (5/1), Bayshore Freeway (8/1), Jazeel (8/1), Blue Laureate (12/1), Bubble And Squeak (12/1), Technological (20/1), Sarvi (50/1)

If Gossip Column can get an uncontested lead here, there's a suspicion he will be hard to pass but preference is for JAZEEL after some seemingly lenient handicapping from the assessor. Up just 4lb for his latest success, there could be even more to come over this new trip. Bajan Gold was only narrowly denied here last time and can go well again and Sergio Leone is another live contender after his win last time.