15:10 Ascot

Saturday 7 August 2021

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 2m 37.9s

(1)

Skycutter²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: A Kirby| T: P A Kirby| OR: 91

6/1

Successful in France for Jo Hughes last year and has gone close on each of his 2 starts for new yard this season. Clearly versatile ground-wise and should give another good account.

Form: 21-2522

(8)

State Of Bliss⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Nicola Currie| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87

9/2

Yet to add to Chester novice win last September, but again went close when touched off by the Wink Of An Eye at Goodwood (11.2f) recently.

Form: 2-33222

(4)

Star Caliber¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 86| BF

10/3

Goodwood maiden winner on sole 2-y-o start and acquitted himself well when second in handicaps at Chester (14.4f) and here (2m) last month. This drop back in trip shouldn't prove too problematic.

Form: 1-7322

(9)

Contact³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Mickaelle Michel| T: T D Barron| OR: 86| D

9/2

Suited by step up in trip when easy winner at Pontefract (1½m) in June. By no means disgraced in a valuable Haydock handicap upped to 1¾m next time and he's certainly one for the shortlist.

Form: 1-13415

(10)

Annandale¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 84

6/1

Consistent on the whole, but didn't apply himself particularly well when worried out of it close home at Sandown last month and effort at Goodwood 6 days later was rather underwhelming.

Form: 183327

(5)

Harlem Soul²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| BF| D

8/1

Did the job well when off the mark on handicap debut at Ripon (1½m) in June, but limitations seemingly exposed since and needs to raise his game.

Form: 24-3185

(6)

Buxted Too^t1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 77

12/1

Chelmsford maiden winner on return in April. Mixed results in handicaps since, posting one of his lesser efforts at Sandown recently, and now goes up in trip with the aid of a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 250436

(2)

Prison Break¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T P O'Shea| T: R A Fahey| OR: 74| D

14/1

Opened his account at Redcar in June and appeared to take a step forward when landing a 4-runner Doncaster handicap (1½m) 16 days ago. Another personal best needed up 5 lb in this stronger race.

Form: 951331

Non-Runners

(7)

Possible Man²²

Weight: 9-12| Age: 3

T: Sir Michael Stoute J: David Egan

(3)

Barn Owl¹⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: H & R Charlton J: Hayley Turner

Forecasts

Star Caliber (10/3), Barn Owl (7/2), State Of Bliss (9/2), Contact (9/2), Possible Man (5/1), Annandale (6/1), Skycutter (6/1), Harlem Soul (8/1), Buxted Too (12/1), Prison Break (14/1)

The vote goes to CONTACT, who appears to handle most ground-types and he performed with credit upped to 1¾m in a big Haydock handicap last time. The return to this trip in what promises to be a strongly-run race could be just the ticket for David Barron's charge. The forecast rain is a worry where Barn Owl and Possible Man are concerned, therefore Skycutter and Star Caliber rate the main dangers.