Today's Horse Racing Tips: Skycutter one of four tips on Shergar Cup day at Ascot

Wise Eagle (advised at 9/4) made it three consecutive winning NAPs when scoring at Musselburgh yesterday. It has been a fine season for the four-year-old and he still looks open to more improvement.

There are four bets for today’s racing at Ascot.

Ascot Tips

12:50 – 5f Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash Handicap (Class 2)

TONE THE BARRONE (1 point win bet at 10/1) has won five of his eight starts on the All Weather, but he also has a 31% strike rate on turf (4-13). Two of those four wins have come in good style over today’s course and distance so he clearly likes it at Ascot. Stuart Williams has freshened up his five-year-old sprinter, and Hayley Turner, who is 1-1 aboard the horse, gets back on board.

I’m also taking a chance on FIRST EDITION (0.5 point win bet at 25/1), who will need one to come out of the race in order to get a run. Clive Cox’s youngster wasn’t beaten by far in last season’s Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes and has made three of his last four starts in a higher grade. He has been gelded since his last run and will wear cheekpieces for the first time.

13:25 – 2m Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap (Class 2)

This looks a really good opportunity for UBER COOL (1 point win bet at 5/2) to build on his impressive Chester win back in May and record an eighth career success. His latest start came following a mammoth 959-day absence but confirmed that he retained all the ability he had shown back in 2018. He rose through the handicap ranks that year and is a smart stayer. Having James Doyle aboard today is a big positive and he will be tough to beat.

15:10 – 1m4f Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic Handicap (Class 2)

This twelve-furlong handicap can go to SKYCUTTER (NAP – 1 point win bet at 15/2), who will be making his third start since being recruited from France. His first two efforts have seen him go very close at Ripon and Newbury (beaten a neck both times) and ground conditions are very much in his favour here.

After ending 2020 with a comfortable win over ten furlongs, he finished second on his seasonal reappearance (first and third have won since) and then ran well in a Listed race at Chantilly back in May. His momentum got checked when going for a run up the rails that day but he kept on under a hands and heels ride to finish within four lengths of a horse that went on to be fourth in the Group 1 Prix Du Jockey Club next time. The horse in second has also run well since, finishing a close second in Listed company, so the form looks strong.