13:35 Ascot

Saturday 9 August 2025

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap)

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 1m 0.12s

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Selected odds by:

(11)

Manaccan^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J Ryan| OR: 100| CD

5/1

Highly progressive in 2022 and shaped well when third in the Palace House at Newmarket the following season. However, that turned out to be his sole appearance of 2023 (remained sidelined throughout last year) and he hasn't shown much in 2 starts since returning from a monster absence in June.

Form: 3113/00

(6)

Seven Questions^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R D Dolan| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 97| D

8/1

Big-price winner of Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket in 2024. Below that form since however and still look too high in the weights present judged on last week's mid-field effort in the Stewards' Cup last week.

Form: 5-77460

(8)

Vespasian^t⁵¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryusei Sakai| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 95| D

16/1

Bagged a Wolverhampton handicap on latest start on these shores in October 2023 and form figures in handicaps in the UAE earlier this year read 2121. However, it's a big ask for him to win this off a career-high mark on the back of a 17-month absence. Yard form does offer hope, though.

Form: 61/2121-

(5)

Chipstead^p⁴¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Dario Di Tocco| T: R A Teal| OR: 95| D

10/1

In winning form on AW this winter, scoring twice over 6f. Not seen to best effect when sixth of 14 in the Dash at Epsom but just a fair effort when tenth in the Wokingham later in June. This does represent a slight drop in class, at least.

Form: 137960-

(9)

Vintage Clarets¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: H Bowman| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

5/1

Twice a winner over this trip in testing conditions last season but yet to get his ground this season. Nevertheless ran right up to his best on the AW (had won the race in 2023) when a narrow runner-up at Newcastle (5f) in June and also shaped better than result suggests over C&D latest.

Form: 736527

(3)

Regal Envoy^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Joanna Mason| T: W J Knight| OR: 94| D

12/1

Enjoying a fine spell, bagging fifth success since at October at Windsor in June. Just fifth of 7 in handicap at York and can't have been right at Goodwood 11 days ago, eased off. Is turned out relatively quickly.

Form: 121150

(1)

Toca Madera¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Delphine Santiago| T: B J Meehan| OR: 91

11/2

Winless in 2024 but several solid efforts from higher marks this spring. Form has dropped off a shade the last time twice, well drawn when fourth of 14 over C&D a fortnight ago.

Form: 634304

(7)

Dream Composer^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Katie Davis| T: H J Evans| OR: 91| CD

14/1

Better than ever when landing 7-runner handicap at Pontefract last summer. Now finds himself 2 lb lower in the weights and found only one too good back there last month. Never a factor in a deeper handicap at Goodwood latest.

Form: 200820

(10)

Venture Capital^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Teetan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 91| BF| D

9/2

Decisive Ripon winner in April and bounced back from a brace of abject displays when second of 4 in first-time cheekpieces at Hamilton. Same mark here so well weighted if the headgear works again.

Form: 910702

(12)

Rosario^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Suraj Narredu| T: R A Teal| OR: 91| D

12/1

Finally doubled career tally in 7-runner handicap at Goodwood in May. Hasn't really come close to matching that form since, though he's definitely shaped better than the result the last twice and is now 3 lb below that mark.

Form: 717900

Non-Runners

(4)

Emperor Spirit¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 7

T: Michael Keady J: Reserve 1

(2)

Nimitz¹¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: Henrik Engblom J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Venture Capital (9/2), Vintage Clarets (5/1), Manaccan (5/1), Toca Madera (11/2), Seven Questions (8/1), Chipstead (10/1), Rosario (12/1), Regal Envoy (12/1), Dream Composer (14/1), Vespasian (16/1), Emperor Spirit (16/1), Nimitz (20/1)

ROSARIO's slow-starting tendencies remain a concern but he's been shaping up nicely of late and in the hope he gets a good pace to aim it, he can cash in on what is undoubtedly a good mark. If the headgear works again, Venture Capital is a huge threat, with Vintage Clarets completing the shortlist.