15:55 Ascot

Saturday 9 August 2025

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 2m 34.43s

(8)

Prince Of The Seas^t1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: R D Dolan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 91

10/1

Confirmed debut promise when winning a 1m Sandown maiden on second and final run of his 2-y-o campaign. However, he hasn't gone on as hoped so far this season, failing to beat a rival home on first run since being gelded/handicap debut upped to 1¾m here last month. Now tried in a tongue strap.

Form: 21-550

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Topteam³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: Mirai Iwata| T: A M Balding| OR: 89| D

7/2

Oasis Dream colt who has sprouted wings since switched to handicaps, completing the hat-trick with a gritty display from the front in a 4-runner affair at Thirsk (1½m, good). That form looks solid (third and fourth have both won since) and he's a big player up 4 lb here with further progress likely.

Form: 795111

(1)

Tenability^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Delphine Santiago| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88| CD

7/4

Has improved with each of his 4 starts, barely breaking sweat when opening his account in a Windsor novice in June and duly built on that when following up on recent handicap debut over this C&D. Raised 7 lb for that, but there's almost certainly more to come from this son of Frankel.

Form: 5411

(4)

Canvas⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Katie Davis| T: S Dixon| OR: 80

9/1

More good efforts than bad ones since joining this yard, bagging a couple of 1m Doncaster handicaps and latest fifth of 15 at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good to soft) was no backward step. Perhaps vulnerable to less exposed types, but should make his presence felt all the same.

Form: 614125

(2)

Mdawi⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Joanna Mason| T: C Johnston| OR: 80| D

9/2

Cheap purchase considering his pedigree looks progressive, runner-up in handicaps at Haydock and Goodwood either side of winning one at Doncaster (1½m, good to firm) last month. Race may have come too soon back at Goodwood last time and he remains of interest.

Form: 3-12129

(7)

Montpellier Green^h1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: K Teetan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73

33/1

Winner of 7f nursery for Joseph O'Brien last September, but failed to make an impact in a couple of runs for Jack Jones during the winter and hasn't shown much in 3 appearances for present connections. Hopes pinned on the first-time hood working the oracle.

Form: 345-798

(5)

Team Player⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Dario Di Tocco| T: G Tutty| OR: 71| BF| D

9/1

Lightly-raced sort who made a winning start for this yard (formerly with Jack Channon) in 10-runner Chester handicap (12.3f, good to firm) last month. Nothing wrong with his subsequent Hamilton third, but he arguably lacks the scope of some of these rivals.

Form: 074813

(6)

Hackney Diamonds¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Ryusei Sakai| T: Ian Williams| OR: 67

28/1

Posted her best effort of the season when a very good third of 6 in handicap at Chester (10.3f, good to firm) in June, but she was put firmly in her place behind Tenability over this C&D next time. Visor applied. Also declared 3.35 Haydock Saturday.

Form: 3-60636

Forecasts

Tenability (7/4), Topteam (7/2), Mdawi (9/2), Team Player (9/1), Canvas (9/1), Prince Of The Seas (10/1), Hackney Diamonds (28/1), Montpellier Green (33/1)

TENABILITY appears to be on a sharp upward curve judged on his clear-cut C&D handicap debut success a fortnight ago and, with the promise of better to come, he is taken to complete the hat-trick. Having completed a hat-trick of his own at Thirsk last time, Topteam is not passed over lightly given that he also remains with potential. Midawi is another with his best days presumably ahead of him and Canvas, though more exposed than the aforementioned trio, is likely to be on the premises, too.