14:45 Ascot

Saturday 9 August 2025

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

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 2m 35.13s

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Selected odds by:

(9)

Insanity²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Joanna Mason| T: A King| OR: 96| CD

5/1

Won this race in 2024 and ran right up to that form when opening his account for the season at Ayr (13.1f) in June, when well positioned tracking the pace. Appeared not to get home upped in trip on a stiffer track when well held at Newmarket. Ought to be more competitive back down in trip.

Form: 180-610

(5)

Claymore¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Suraj Narredu| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 95| C| D

15/2

Course winner ended long losing run dropped into a 0-90 handicap at Newmarket (12f) last month prior to shaping as though still in good form over a shorter trip when seventh of 13 at Yarmouth (10.1f) 16 days ago. Should be well suited by the return to this trip and remains well treated on old form.

Form: 692717

(6)

La Pulga²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: H Bowman| T: C Johnston| OR: 93| D

12/1

Capitalised on a drop in grade at Newcastle last month and proved as good as ever 5 days later when runner-up under a penalty at Wolverhampton (14f), showing a fine attitude. Not so good in Racing League handicap at Chepstow on Thursday, though.

Form: 073128

(4)

Dramatic Star²⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Mirai Iwata| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89| D

9/2

Looked progressive when winning a maiden at Hamilton in June. Short in the betting but no show in the Melrose at York subsequently but got back on track having been gelded when landing a 9-runner Newcastle handicap in October. Low mileage and in excellent hands. One to be interested in on return.

Form: 321001-

(8)

Candyman Stan^p1⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Delphine Santiago| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| D

18/1

Winner of back-to-back handicaps at Brighton and Lingfield to start the season but has struggled in more competitive handicaps subsequently. Handicapper has given him a chance if first time headgear has the desired effect.

Form: 17-1107

(2)

Asgard's Captain¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Katie Davis| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 88| D

16/1

Latest win at Epsom in April and shaped as if still in good form (hung left) when third behind Claymore at Newmarket (12f) last month, finishing with running left. Best forgiven his Yarmouth run when appearing not to last home over the longer trip (14f). Could be a lively outsider back down in trip.

Form: 014037

(1)

Great Bedwyn⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Dario Di Tocco| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

22/1

Winner over a similar trip at York in May and has performed creditably in handicaps subsequently, latest when finishing midfield in a 14f handicap at Wolverhampton 9 days ago. Only a 1 lb above his last successful mark but that win came in a lower grade.

Form: 2-18956

(11)

Dream Harder^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Per-Anders Graberg| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| D

17/2

Runner-up in this race off the same mark last year. Capitalised on falling mark from a good draw at Chester (12f) in May and was back close to form when third in a 5-runner C&D handicap 15 days ago. Makes appeal with cheekpieces now refitted.

Form: 081263

(10)

Night Breeze²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: R D Dolan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 86| CD

11/4

Landed a hat-trick this time last year and off the mark for this season over C&D in May. Better than ever of late, finishing third in the Old Newton Cup despite meeting trouble at a crucial stage prior to finishing runner-up behind a classier winner over C&D last month. Should go well again.

Form: 4-41532

(3)

Houstonn^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Ryusei Sakai| T: R Hannon| OR: 84

10/1

10f winner last season and has saved his best for Ascot this year, bouncing back to form with blinkered for first time, creditable third (behind Night Breeze) in a handicap at this track (12f, firm) 28 days ago. Should remain competitive if headgear has the same effect here.

Form: 78-3663

Non-Runners

(7)

Ocean Of Dreams³⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: A Watson J: Reserve 1

Forecasts

Night Breeze (11/4), Dramatic Star (9/2), Insanity (5/1), Claymore (15/2), Dream Harder (17/2), Houstonn (10/1), La Pulga (12/1), Asgard's Captain (16/1), Candyman Stan (18/1), Great Bedwyn (22/1), Ocean Of Dreams (66/1)

DRAMATIC STAR found plenty for pressure having been gelded when landing a Newcastle handicap on his final start of last season. He's in excellent hands and is taken to make a winning return at the expense of Claymore, who shaped as if still in good form at Yarmouth last month and remains well handicapped on the best of his form, while the Ian Williams' pair both look interesting given their course form, Dream Harder (headgear refitted) runner-up in this race off the same mark 12 months ago.