15:55 Ascot

Saturday 6 August 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

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

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 1m 39.49s

(7)

Shelir^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: C P Lemaire| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102| D

33/1

Smart handicapper who probably needed the run in a first-time hood after 9 months off when fifth in 7f York handicap 29 days ago. Entitled to build on that now back in cheekpieces, though current mark leaves little room for manoeuvre.

Form: 92917-5

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(4)

Greatgadian²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: R Varian| OR: 101| D

12/1

Much improved this year, winning a couple of small-field Chelmsford handicaps over 10f. However, has failed to translate that improvement back on turf, albeit in a brace of top handicaps.

Form: 58-1100

(6)

Bopedro^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 101| D

11/1

Irish Cambridgeshire winner in 2021 who ran a race full of promise on first outing since leaving Jessica Harrington (for 80,000 gns) when fourth here (1m) 2 weeks ago, keeping on well having not been ideally placed. One to be interested in.

Form: 36-5084

(2)

Lexington Dash^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: A Fresu| T: J C McConnell| OR: 100

28/1

Showed the benefit of reappearance/stable debut when winning 11-runner handicap at Fairyhouse (7f, good to soft) 31 days ago, driven out. Nudged up 5 lb but should remain competitive.

Form: 7370-71

(10)

Isla Kai²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: L Dettori| T: N Tinkler| OR: 97| BF| CD

11/4

Yet to add to his four 2021 wins this term but posted another creditable effort when fourth at York (7.9f, good to firm) 4 weeks ago. Can make presence felt.

Form: 2-40464

(11)

Montassib²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| BF

1/1

Progressive 4-y-o who scored at Wetherby and Goodwood before posting very good efforts in Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot and Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Highly likely there's more to come now he steps up to 1m. Big chance.

Form: 1/1154

(8)

Redarna^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: N Callan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 94| C| D

20/1

Course winner. Thirteen wins from 47 Flat runs, including the Hunt Cup at Thirsk in April. Turned in another good effort when second in an optional claiming event at Pontefract (8f, good) 22 days ago, though rather threw away his chance by hanging badly left.

Form: 86-1932

(12)

Imperial Sands^p⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Nicola Currie| T: A Watson| OR: 92| D

66/1

Best effort on turf when runner-up at Newmarket in May but returns from a small break with something to prove following a limp display back on the all-weather in first-time cheekpieces at Chelmsford last time.

Form: 126276

(3)

Via Serendipity²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Takeshi Yokoyama| T: C Fellowes| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Won this in 2018 when trained by Stuart Williams and stepped up on his first 2 starts this year when scoring at Sandown in June. Below form both starts since, though.

Form: 6-84108

(5)

Jungle Cove¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Emma Jayne Wilson| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 92| D

14/1

Off the mark for the season when taking 10f Leopardstown handicap in July and improved again when edged out close home in 4-runner minor event at Gowran (9.5f, good) 2 weeks ago. Seems likely to give another good account.

Form: 243812

Non-Runners

(9)

Power of Darkness¹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 7

T: M P Tregoning J: Reserve 1

(1)

Coase¹⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: M Wigham J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Montassib (1/1), Isla Kai (11/4), Bopedro (11/1), Greatgadian (12/1), Jungle Cove (14/1), Via Serendipity (16/1), Redarna (20/1), Power of Darkness (20/1), Coase (25/1), Lexington Dash (28/1), Shelir (33/1), Imperial Sands (66/1)

MONTASSIB has posted 2 very good efforts in top-quality handicaps and looks ready to resume his progress now stepping up to 1m, so he's an appealing candidate. Bopedro is clear second choice having run a race full of promise on his yard debut here a couple of weeks back. Isla Kai completes the shortlist.