14:45 Ascot

Saturday 8 August 2026

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

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

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 2m 30.73s

(12)

Claymore³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: C L Chau| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 99| C| D

20/1

Resumed winning ways when making all at Windsor in June but only eighth of 12 to Sportingsilvermine in handicap at Newmarket (1½m, firm) 35 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 778518

(10)

Insanity⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: M Velon| T: A King| OR: 98| CD

8/1

Resumed with a good second at Pontefract (1¼m, good) in April but turned in a below-par thirteenth of 17 in Duke Of Edinburgh at the Royal meeting over C&D last time. Took this in 2024 and also third last year so he's a likely player again freshened up after a break.

Form: 3220-20

(11)

Frances Ethel²⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: C Y Ho| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| D

33/1

Useful 4-time winner in South Africa in 2024. Best of 3 runs for current yard when second of 9 in all-weather 1¼m Lingfield handicap in December. Not out of things after a break.

Form: 279/952-

(7)

Night Breeze^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| CD

9/4

Won twice over C&D (including this contest) in 2025. Has continued on the up, scoring at Epsom in April and good placed efforts in competitive handicaps since, third of 17 at Goodwood (1¼m, good to firm) 11 days ago. Very much one to consider again.

Form: 341233

(5)

Enemy^p,t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: F Valle Skar| T: Ian Williams| OR: 95| C| D

28/1

Veteran who scored on all-weather in January/February. Not at his best since, although he possibly found the run coming too soon when last of 12 to Sportingsilvermine in handicap at Newmarket (1½m, firm) 35 days ago. Cheekpieces back on now and this course winner can't be ruled out.

Form: 310990

(9)

Asgard's Captain²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 91| D

13/2

Back to winning ways over 1½m at Newmarket in May. Largely in good form subsequently, sixth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (1¾m, good to firm) 29 days ago.

Form: 341406

(8)

Castle Stuart²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Ferraris| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91

9/2

Dual 1m/9f victor for Karl Burke in 2024/25. In excellent form without winning for his current yard, third of 22 in John Smith's Cup at York four weeks ago. Well in the mix again.

Form: 7-66023

(6)

Sportingsilvermine²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Yutaka Take| T: James Owen| OR: 91| D

16/1

Advanced his form this summer when gaining a second success in handicap at Newmarket (1½m). Beat only one turned out under a 5 lb penalty in John Smith's Cup at York since. No surprise to see him bounce back after a break.

Form: 071310

(1)

Fantasy Believer¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 89| C

9/1

Scored at Doncaster last September and has resumed in good form, fourth of 9 in handicap over C&D 15 days ago. Merits consideration eased 1 lb.

Form: 160-504

(3)

Stem³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jamie Melham| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

9/2

Low-mileage 4-y-o who gained a first win since his debut in 9-runner handicap at Sandown (1¼m, good to firm) last month. Up 2 lb but weighted to go well again on his first try at this trip.

Form: 22-9041

Forecasts

Night Breeze (9/4), Castle Stuart (9/2), Stem (9/2), Asgard's Captain (13/2), Insanity (8/1), Fantasy Believer (9/1), Sportingsilvermine (16/1), Claymore (20/1), Enemy (28/1), Frances Ethel (33/1)

This is wide open so it could pay to side with Richard Hannon's low-mileage STEM who got back to winning ways at Sandown last time and remains handily weighted on his first go over this distance. Both Insanity (second choice) and Night Breeze are past winners of this and seem sure to be on the premises again, while Castle Stuart is another with plenty to recommend him.