14:45 Ascot

Saturday 12 August 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 2m 34.14s

(4)

Max Mayhem¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen| T: K P De Foy| OR: 100

6/1

Plenty to like about reappearance/yard debut success at Kempton (11f) in April and improved on that in pair of C&D handicaps since, following up his sixth in Duke of Edinburgh with good second of 7 (good to soft) last month. Respected.

Form: 73-1862

(11)

La Yakel²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J Moreira| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF| CD

7/4

Highly progressive at 3, winning novice at Southwell and C&D handicap in September. Returned with close second of 7 at this course (12f, soft) last month and likely has more to offer yet.

Form: 33114-2

(8)

Andaleep^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 94

18/1

Winner of 5 handicaps last season and took form up a further notch when a decisive winner at York (10.2f, good) last month. Posted another solid effort at Yarmouth since and must enter calculations.

Form: 6-34214

(10)

Dark Jedi²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Declan McDonogh| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| D

18/1

Below best this season and arrives on back of disappointing fifth in weaker contest at Ripon last month. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 6-63065

(5)

Nolton Cross¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Hayley Turner| T: H Palmer| OR: 92| D

18/1

Three AW wins earlier in the year and has shown he's as effective on turf with creditable efforts in competitive handicaps in recent weeks, latest when third of 7 over C&D (good to soft) 15 days ago. Not out of things.

Form: 160363

(1)

Scampi²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Saffie Osborne| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

11/2

Won a big-field handicap (11.9f) at York in May and has run creditably in defeat more recently, latest when sixth of 18 in handicap at same course (10.2f, good, 16/1) 28 days ago. Step back up in trip a plus and could be a player.

Form: 516526

(2)

Youthful King⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: O Peslier| T: L A Dace| OR: 92

10/1

Second Windsor success of the season when making all (11.5f, good to firm) last month. Raised 7 lb to a clear career-high mark but he is thriving.

Form: 37-9131

(12)

Kitsune Power^b1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Kazuo Yokoyama| T: R Varian| OR: 92

28/1

Made excellent strides in handicaps last year, gaining third success at Beverley (10f) in August. Yet to really threaten this term, though, and now tried in blinkers for first time.

Form: 210-930

(3)

Pride Of Priory^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| CD

13/2

Won a trio of handicaps last summer, culminating in comfortable victory in this contest. Not been in quite same form this season but is back down to his last winning mark and has the assistance of Frankie Dettori.

Form: 175-963

(6)

Wootton'sun³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

17/2

Gained reward for his consistency when winning 13-runner Old Newton Cup at Haydock (11.8f, good to firm) 35 days ago by ½ length from Scampi. 5 lb higher now but likely to go well again. RESERVE.

Form: 55-2321

Non-Runners

(9)

Soto Sizzler¹¹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 8

T: G & J Moore J: Hollie Doyle

(7)

East Asia¹²⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

La Yakel (7/4), Scampi (11/2), East Asia (11/2), Max Mayhem (6/1), Pride Of Priory (13/2), Wootton'sun (17/2), Youthful King (10/1), Soto Sizzler (14/1), Dark Jedi (18/1), Nolton Cross (18/1), Andaleep (18/1), Kitsune Power (28/1)

It's likely we haven't seen the best of LA YAKEL, who is still low mileage and made a very pleasing return here last month. He is fancied to score. Andaleep and Scampi have acquitted themselves really well this term and are also expected to make their presence felt.