15:55 Ascot

Saturday 10 August 2024

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 2m 35.23s

(7)

Going Remote^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Bauyrzhan Murzabayev| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 92

12/1

Gained reward for his consistency and well suited by increase in trip when off the mark at Down Royal (12.8f) in June. Respectable fourth at Navan (10.2f) next time prior to a rare below par display in blinkers (usual cheekpieces return here) at Galway 8 days ago. Type to bounce back.

Form: 922140

(4)

Dambuster^v1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: J L Borrego| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| BF

12/1

Successful on first of his 2 starts at 2 yrs and resumed with a small-field success at Beverley (10f) in April, overcoming residual greenness. Below his best when midfield on handicap debut at Sandown (10f) 5 weeks ago but unlikely we've seen the best of him. Visor goes on upped in trip.

Form: 14-16

(1)

Houstonn¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Marie Velon| T: R Hannon| OR: 88

9/1

Expert Eye gelding who matched previous best when opening his account in an 8-runner Windsor maiden (10f) 3 weeks ago, asserting gradually. Unexposed at this sort of trip now handicapping but opening mark demands that bit more.

Form: 924-51

(8)

Mina Rashid³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| D

16/1

Improved on his exploits as a juvenile (upped markedly in trip) when winning 5-runner Chester maiden (12.3f) in May. Has struggled tackling Group company both starts since but this switch to handicaps will help and too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 36-190

(5)

Sam Hawkens⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: W J Haggas| OR: 86| D

4/1

Salisbury maiden winner (12f, heavy) in May who has run to a similar level in pair in 2 subsequent outings, fourth of 5 in handicap (9/2) at Salisbury (12f, good to firm) 45 days ago. Changed hands for 105,000 gns ahead of this but yard may hold stronger claims with Solomon.

Form: 2-5154

(9)

Solomon^h⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Alberto Sanna| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85

5/4

Successful on second of 3 starts in maidens and having shaped better than the bare result on turf debut at York, he ran out an emphatic winner of an 8-runner apprentice handicap at Haydock (10.2f, good to firm, 6/5) 6 days ago. Goes unpenalized for that and he's very much the one to beat.

Form: 21381

(3)

Champagne Prince²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rachel Venniker| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 83

9/1

Looked a useful prospect when winning a pair of 7f AW novices in 2023. Came in last of 7 in Craven Stakes at Newmarket on return, though, and no better returned to handicap company there (July Course) last time.

Form: 11-70

(2)

Whathappensinvegas¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| BF

14/1

Steadily improved since rejoining Ian Williams, adding to his tally at Hamilton (11f) prior to a respectable third of 5 in handicap at Salisbury (12f) in June. Came in last of 7 in handicap at Sandown (10f) 2 weeks ago and he now goes back up in trip.

Form: 712137

(6)

Old Saxony⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Nanako Fujita| T: D M Simcock| OR: 78

33/1

Saxon Warrior who has shaped with definite signs of promise in novice/maidens, looking unsuited by drop in trip when fourth of 10 in maiden at Chepstow (10f, good) 71 days ago. Open to improvement now handicapping with the return to further a plus.

Form: 734

Forecasts

Solomon (5/4), Sam Hawkens (4/1), Champagne Prince (9/1), Houstonn (9/1), Going Remote (12/1), Dambuster (12/1), Whathappensinvegas (14/1), Mina Rashid (16/1), Old Saxony (33/1)

William Haggas landed this prize 2 years ago and looks to have another prime candidate this time around in the shape of SOLOMON. Most impressive when scoring readily at Haydock on Sunday, he goes unpenalized for that victory and he should prove tough to beat provided this doesn't come too soon. Andrew Balding's pair Dambuster and Mina Rashid likely have bigger efforts in their lockers and along with Houstonn, head the dangers.