Shergar Cup Tips: Back this trio at Ascot on Saturday
It may not be every racing purist's cup of tea, but the Shergar Cup is back again with a stunning international line-up of Flat jockeys and the action on the track should serve up some decent action, and our man Steve Chambers is here with his best bets on the Ascot card...
14:10 Ascot - Shergar Cup Dash
Robert Cowell opted to bypass the Stewards' Cup a couple of weeks ago with ARECIBO and instead sends his speedy seven-year-old to Ascot for the Shergar Cup Dash on Saturday afternoon, and the classy sprinter can storm to victory to land the prize. A sensational second in the Group 1 King's Stand at Royal Ascot in 2021, Arecibo has failed to live up to those heights in recent times, but if he can produce that sort of display on his return to the Berkshire venue then he can prove far too classy for his rivals.
He could only finish 12th in the King's Stand this season, as he failed to live with the Australian speedball Nature Strip, but he showed prior to that run when third in the Temple Stakes at Haydock Park that he can sparkle in Group company, and while he disappointed at Sandown Park last time out, a drop back to handicap company could see him dominate.
A real strong finish, Cowell's raider is sure to be doing all his best work in the closing stages, and providing he doesn't meet any trouble in running then he can scorch clear in the closing stages and send favourite backers into raptures at the current odds of 4/1.
14:45 Ascot - Shergar Cup Stayers
SUPER SUPERJACK ran a hugely eye-catching race at Glorious Goodwood last time out, as having travelled smoothly during a competitive staying event he found trouble in running and was unable to reel in Master Milliner, who got first run on the Milton Harris-trained charge. Now, the five-year-old son of Harbour Watch will attempt to get back-to-back to winning ways and duly land a third win of the season when he lines up in the Shergar Cup Stayers, which takes place at 14:45.
He's been upped 4lbs for that Goodwood run, which connections maybe a little negative towards, but with a more positive ride he would most likely have won that day, so if Nicola Currie can hold her mount nearer the pace then he may be able to unleash a turn of pace when they turn for home and at 9/4 he's a deserved favourite.
Providing those Goodwood exertions haven't taken too much out of him seeing it was only eight days ago then Super Superjack can continue on an upward curve in the staying division and bound to glory here.
15:55 Ascot - Shergar Cup Mile
There's a hugely competitive Shergar Cup Mile at 15:55 and all eyes will be on the William Haggas-trained Montassib, who heads into this event very lightly-raced and was last seen finishing an excellent fourth in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Prior to that he was fifth in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot, so a return to that track on Saturday should see him sparkle.
However, at the meagre 5/2 there could be some notable value elsewhere and the Jessica Harrington-trained Jungle Cove could be an alternative punting option at 7/1, as the superstar dual-purpose handler rarely sends over a runner without a chance, and fresh from success at the Royal meeting she will look to shine at the track once again.
JUNGLE COVE has really found his form of late, as the son of Mastercraftsman was an excellent winner at Leopardsown off a mark of 87 two starts ago, and was then just touched off 92 at Gowran Park last time out. The drop back to a mile should be a significant bonus, as he was caught in the shadow of the post last time out by the decent Shark Bay of Aidan O'Brien's, and off the same mark of 92 on Saturday he could prove to be a huge contender in this event.