12:50 Ascot

Saturday 7 August 2021

All12:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 1m 1.93s

(3)

Stone Of Destiny⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A M Balding| OR: 103| CD

8/1

Won Portland at Doncaster last season and posted another fine effort in a big handicap when third in Epsom 'Dash'. Has remained in form since, but current mark looks about right. Won this in 2019.

Form: 923846

(7)

Snazzy Jazzy²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Cieren Fallon| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 103

18/1

Ayr Silver Cup winner during time with Clive Cox. Form tailed off towards the end of last term and, while his latest effort was a positive step, his mark still seems too high.

Form: 2355-04

(1)

Tis Marvellous^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: K Stott| T: C G Cox| OR: 102| CD

9/2

Acquitted himself well in Group races last year and has hit the frame with good efforts in handicaps here the last twice, so every reason to expect another solid performance. Won this in 2018.

Form: 28-9443

(6)

Tone The Barone^t¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: S C Williams| OR: 100| CD

12/1

Very good strike-rate since the start of 2020, and shaped as if still in form when stretched by 6f at Lingfield 127 days ago. Successful on last two visits to this track, so bold bid expected.

Form: 1-12317

(11)

Count D'Orsay⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T P O'Shea| T: T D Easterby| OR: 98| D

13/2

Needs things to drop right but he's not short of ability, as his fifth in a Sandown Group 3 shows. Shaped as if still in form both subsequent outings, so not ruled out.

Form: 737506

(4)

Aljady^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Mickaelle Michel| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 95| BF| D

16/1

Winless this year and not really firing of late, so others make more appeal despite a sliding mark.

Form: 256806

(8)

Desert Safari⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| D

6/1

In good form earlier this season, striking at Kempton in April and over 5f at Goodwood in May. Signs of resurgence when seventh in Stewards' Cup last week, and now 1 lb below last winning mark.

Form: 800037

(12)

Magical Spirit⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: K A Ryan| OR: 92| D

9/2

Five wins from 19 Flat runs. Respectable sixth of 14 in handicap (20/1) at Newcastle (6f) 20 days ago. 2 lb lower now and no surprise if he gives a good account.

Form: 414-306

(9)

Aplomb⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 92| BF

8/1

Useful sprinter who made a positive start for this stable and was running respectably when falling late at Windsor last time. Given time to recover, so likely to put up another bold showing.

Form: 1058-2F

(2)

King Of Stars^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: M Appleby| OR: 92| BF| D

16/1

Third win for current yard when scoring at Bath (5f) in April. Good efforts next two starts and seemed unsuited by conditions when down the field at Goodwood 11 days ago. Should bounce back.

Form: 431220

Non-Runners

(5)

First Edition⁵⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: Reserve 1

(10)

Mokaatil¹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Tis Marvellous (9/2), Magical Spirit (9/2), Desert Safari (6/1), Count D'Orsay (13/2), Aplomb (8/1), Stone Of Destiny (8/1), Tone The Barone (12/1), First Edition (14/1), King Of Stars (16/1), Aljady (16/1), Snazzy Jazzy (18/1), Mokaatil (20/1)

TONE THE BARONE has a highly progressive profile and goes well at this track, so it's worth taking the chance that his shrewd yard will have him ready to go back from 4 months off. The well-treated Desert Safari is a player having shaped encouragingly in the Stewards' Cup, while in-form pair Tis Marvellous and Aplomb can't be ignored.