Ascot Saturday Shergar Cup Preview

The first horse we have selected at the Shergar Cup meeting on Saturday comes in the Dash Handicap over five furlongs and we are giving Desert Safari a chance at a price.

Having been out of sorts he bounced back to form at Glorious Goodwood last week when a good third in a 5f sprint handicap behind the likes of El Astronaute and Lord Riddiford.

He was then turned around quickly for the Steward's Cup at the same meeting last Saturday and he finished a good seventh in a bunched finish.

Dropping back to his preferred 5f in this event on what should be soft ground could make him dangerous off 3lb lower than his latest run.

Big each way player.

Next up is the Stayers handicap over two miles and again we are taking a chance on a big priced runner with the likeable Just Hubert set to put his best hoof forward.

Just Hubert is a very talented horse on his going day and having been well backed last time out at Goodwood before refusing to race, he could be in fine form at home and fully tuned up.

He runs in this event off a mark of 87 which is 1lb lower than his last winning mark at Goodwood last year and having form on both good and soft ground, over staying trips he looks a good each way prospect for the race.

One of the better races on the card is the Class 3 Challenge Handicap over 1m4f and the Andrew Balding trained Group One Power looks an attractive bet.

The four year old this term has turned a big corner, not finishing outside the top three on all five of his runs and with the soft ground set to come it will be right up his street.

Having finished a good second in May over course and distance showing good form at the track, he has gone on to run well at Epsom and Chester.

Last time out on the Roodee he was a good third over course and distance, not getting the run of the race and if going from the front like he did las time here, he seems feasibly treated to go close.

Going past the half way point of the card at Ascot on Saturday, next is the Shergar Cup Mile and Dashing Roger for trainer William Stone is a huge player.

He will need to be at his best to see off the favourite Dance Fever who ran well here last time out, but with the ground set to ease, it could put things in his favour.

Two starts ago the gelding was a good winner over a mile at Sandown on soft ground and backed that up next time out when a good third at Salisbury.

That race has worked out with the winner running well at Goodwood and also the fourth going on to win the first race of the festival last week.

He is only up 1lb for that run and can throw down his challenge again.

The penultimate event of the afternoon is the Shergar Cup Classic over 1m4f and the Mark Johnston trained State Of Bliss looks a very consistent type.

The three year old this season has been in electric form with figures of 33222, with the step up in trip each time bringing even more out of him.

His best run of the season came last time out when a narrow second to the smart Wink Of An Eye at Glorious Goodwood over 1m3f and the extra furlong today will only suit him more.

He is up slightly in the handicap but he looks one to keep an eye on with that being some of the best recent form in the race.

The final event of the afternoon at the Berkshire track is the Shergar Cup Sprint over six furlongs and the Rod Millman trained Crazy Luck can run well at a double figure price.

The three year old filly has been in superb form of late with two wins and a place over 6f from her last four rides, with her also showing versatility when it comes to ground.

She was last seen at the Goodwood festival finishing a narrow second to the smart Lovely bReeze for Hugo Palmer in a similar handicap event.

She goes off the same mark again in this event and looks overpriced in the market to us at 10/1.