14:00 Ascot

Saturday 7 August 2021

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 2m 35.73s

(8)

Restorer^v²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| D

28/1

Fifth in this race 2 years ago and won brace of handicaps in 2020. Been shaping up quite well of late and 1 lb below last successful mark.

Form: 1-53245

(4)

The Trader⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Mickaelle Michel| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| D

18/1

Back to winning ways at Hamilton in May. Not at the top of his game this summer but this trip more suitable than 14f at Goodwood last week.

Form: 614776

(3)

C'Est No Mour²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: S Hodgson| OR: 92| D

25/1

Ended last year with success on AW and picked up where he left off to go in again at Goodwood (14f) in June. Steadily-run race didn't suit at Newmarket.

Form: 7051-13

(2)

Master The Stars⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Hayley Turner| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 92

18/1

Ridden more prominently and better than ever when doubling career tally at Newmarket in May. Shade too free both starts since and needs to settle better to last out over this trip.

Form: 363126

(6)

Graphite^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: T Kent| OR: 92

18/1

Smart miler in France for Andre Fabre in 2019. Missed last year and not close to that level in 4 runs for current yard, though latest second confirms he's competitive from reduced mark.

Form: 22/0842

(1)

Spanish Kiss²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T P O'Shea| T: W J Knight| OR: 91| BF| D

4/1

First outing on turf when getting off the mark in 1½m 16-runner York handicap in May, easily. Also very impressive at Newmarket and excuses for defeat here last month. Fair shout back in trip.

Form: 32-2115

(11)

Sam Cooke^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R M Beckett| OR: 90| D

7/2

Lightly-raced 5-y-o who has shaped well on several occasions since last win in May 2019, not ideally placed at Chester last month. Big performance is on the cards.

Form: 203-604

(7)

Mancini^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| D

25/1

Useful stayer who is in better heart than his performances on the whole this season suggest. Eased further 2 lb but a while since he's tackled this sort of distance.

Form: 30-0096

(12)

Group One Power²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: A M Balding| OR: 89| BF| D

3/1

Well prepared to make a successful reappearance at Epsom in April. Very consistent rather than progressive since, placed again at Chester last time.

Form: 5-12333

(5)

HMS President^p²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 89

9/2

Back to winning ways at Windsor in May and good efforts the last twice, not beaten far in first-time cheekpieces at Doncaster on Thursday. Wouldn't rule out if appearing again quickly.

Form: 3-01532

Non-Runners

(10)

Plantadream³⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: J R Best J: Reserve 1

(9)

Torcello⁷⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: S Lycett J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Group One Power (3/1), Sam Cooke (7/2), Spanish Kiss (4/1), HMS President (9/2), Graphite (18/1), Master The Stars (18/1), The Trader (18/1), Torcello (20/1), Plantadream (20/1), C'Est No Mour (25/1), Mancini (25/1), Restorer (28/1)

Things didn't really pan out for SPANISH KISS in his hat-trick bid here a month ago, but he looked a handicapper going places prior to that, and given the way he travels this drop in trip is probably a good move. Group One Power is a very solid proposition, while Sam Cooke has it in him to win a race like this.