14:10 Ascot

Saturday 10 August 2024

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 29.64s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Beamish^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A Watson| OR: 98

12/1

Quickly developed into a smart stayer in Ireland for Paddy Twomey and shaped encouragingly following a lengthy absence when sixth of 9 in handicap at Newbury in April. No show in 2 subsequent starts but eased 4 lb since latest run and he's dangerous to discount.

Form: 336/609

(1)

Ranch Hand²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 95| D

13/2

Smart stayer at this peak but restricted to just 2 runs in 2022 and missed all of last year. However, stepped up on his comeback run in May when sixth of 10 at Newbury (16.5f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago and, down another 2 lb, he could have a part to play. Yard also fields Spirit Mixer.

Form: 2443/76

(10)

Fox Journey²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rachel Venniker| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 95

5/1

Well ridden when running out a comfortable winner from the front at Newmarket over 1½m on return in May. Hit hard by the handicapper for that and has struggled in better races since, but his mark is now on the slide and a bold show could be forthcoming.

Form: 34-1076

(3)

Sheradann^t⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Bauyrzhan Murzabayev| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91

13/2

Quickly reached a useful level in France last year, winning 3 times at up to 15f in the autumn. Changed hands for €250,000 and while his British debut was underwhelming, there were more encouraging signs at Glorious Goodwood last weekend. Not discounted.

Form: 6111-07

(7)

Struth³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T P O'Shea| T: C Johnston| OR: 91

13/2

Went close in the 'Classic' at this meeting off a 3 lb higher mark last year and appeared to take a step back in the right direction when third in a strong Ripon handicap in June. On the downside, his temperament isn't all it could be and he's failed to fire in 2 subsequent starts.

Form: 2-90304

(5)

Zealandia^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: J L Borrego| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| D

33/1

Arrives here out of sorts, failing to beat a rival in Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (16.2f) last time. Yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Sheradann (The Grand Visir also represents the Ian Williams stable).

Form: 35-1900

(6)

Tides Of War^h⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Joanna Mason| T: D M Simcock| OR: 88

8/1

Dual scorer earlier in his career in France who belatedly cashed in off his sliding mark in a refitted hood at Goodwood (1¾m, good to firm) in May, edging ahead dying strides. Not entirely disgraced both starts since but others make more appeal all the same.

Form: 987160

(8)

Spirit Mixer⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Marie Velon| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

11/2

Limited to just one appearance last year and generally below par this season, but he's on a very good mark judged on 2022 exploits and there were signs of a potential revival when fifth of 18 at Glorious Goodwood (20.4f, firm) recently. One for the shortlist.

Form: 903975

(11)

Wickywickywheels¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Rachel King| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 82

15/2

Progressed at a rate of knots during 2022, winning 5 times. However, without success since returning to these shores in April 2023 following a stint in Dubai and while his latest C&D fourth was respectable enough, chances are he'll again find a few too good.

Form: 60-9654

(4)

The Grand Visir^p,t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 8-11| J: A Sanna| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| C| D

11/1

Has fallen a long way in the weights but he isn't getting any younger and has failed to make much of an impact in 3 starts so far this year. Others preferred.

Form: 700-909

Non-Runners

(9)

Samui²⁵

Weight: 10-4| Age: 5

T: G Elliott J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Samui (7/4), Fox Journey (5/1), Spirit Mixer (11/2), Ranch Hand (13/2), Struth (13/2), Sheradann (13/2), Wickywickywheels (15/2), Tides Of War (8/1), The Grand Visir (11/1), Beamish (12/1), Zealandia (33/1)

Many of these have a point to prove for one reason or another. SPIRIT MIXER probably isn't quite the same horse that he was when just edged out by Trueshan off a 12 lb higher mark in the 2022 Northumberland Plate, but there was enough in his latest effort over a marathon trip at the big Goodwood meeting to make him of strong interest here under a talented French rider. Beamish and Fox Journey both look dangerous, but they could all be in trouble if Irish raider Samui makes the cut.