Ascot Shergar Cup Betting Tips
Shergar Cup day is back on Saturday afternoon and there’s a six-race card to get stuck into at Ascot, kicking off at 13:35.
It’s a chance to see how some international riders take to the course and Hugh Bowman is the big name on show.
We have selections and analysis for all six Shergar Cup races including a couple of value picks.
13:35 – Ascot - Dash
Saturday’s opener is always one of the races of Shergar Cup Day and this year’s renewal of the Dash is no different.
Vintage Clarets is one of the form horses coming into this year’s renewal and a big factor in his favour is the booking of top Australian jockey, Hugh Bowman, who knows how the course rides given his spell in Britain in the early 2000s.
His mount has run some big races in defeat at this venue and he has a win on the board from this mark so he should go well, particularly with stall nine looking ideal (high draws often an advantage on Ascot’s straight track at this time of year).
Selection: Vintage Clarets
14:10 – Ascot - Stayers Handicap
Another positive jockey booking is Hollie Doyle on board La Vita Nova. The jockey knows how to ride Ascot as well as anyone and the trainer, Jessica Harrington, has enjoyed success at this meeting previously.
La Vita Nova only has a maiden win to her name but she’s hit the frame in two mightily competitive Curragh handicaps already this term and a step back up in trip will suit after a lesser run when dropped to 1m5f last time out at Down Royal.
Selection: La Vita Nova
14:45 – Ascot - Challenge Handicap
La Pulga is another big chance for Bowman to get another Ascot winner on the board and the jockey switch after declarations on Thursday is probably a clue that his mount has a big chance.
The ground was against La Pulga at Chepstow in the Racing League on Thursday night but he placed on his previous course visit and given his strong record on all-weather, he warrants respect at Ascot where synthetic surface form often translates well due to the track’s sand base.
Selection: La Pulga
15:20 – Ascot - Sprint Handicap
Prince Of India must have a big chance of following up his wide margin Newmarket success despite an 11lb rise in the weights.
He’s found a new lease of life for the drop to six furlongs and the return to a stiff 6f will suit here.
Selection: Prince Of India
15:55 – Ascot - Classic Handicap
A first-time tongue-tie might be the answer for Prince Of The Seas in the Shergar Cup Classic.
Ralph Beckett’s son of Sea The Stars looked like a top prospect when winning at Sandown last season and while things haven’t gone to plan so far this term, a combination of a drop back in trip and new headgear may do the trick.
Selection: Prince Of The Seas
16:30 – Ascot - Mile Handicap
Urban Lion completes a fine book of rides for Bowman and he looks like one of the better favourites at Ascot on Saturday.
He got the better of Classic at Sandown before a close up fifth in a mightily competitive handicap at Royal Ascot on the straight course here. There’s a suspicion the return to a round track will suit even better.
Selection: Urban Lion
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
