Shergar Cup Insights

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece, I’m sharing a few Shergar Cup insights and the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Shergar Cup Insights

I don’t have a problem with a one-off meeting like the Shergar Cup on an otherwise quiet Saturday. However, part of the appeal used to be seeing top-class foreign jockeys riding here, but it seems Ascot has failed to attract them this year. Additionally, the quality of horses participating in the event seems to have declined, which affects our Shergar Cup insights.

For many punters, team racing like the Shergar Cup makes little appeal, and it leaves me cold. Not long ago, it was the one weekend of the summer when I would forget about horse racing and betting. Personally, I won’t be watching Saturday’s racing live as I have the little matter of going to see Leeds United’s first match of the new season.

Shergar Cup Race Analysis

Ascot

1:35 – Badri was back to form on stable debut when a 1 ½ lengths 2nd of 6 to the very much in-form Jordon Electrics at Hamilton. His last success came over C&D last October from 8lb higher. Badri is handicapped to go well but likely does need a very strong pace to chase to get his head in front.

2:45 – Insanity was a ½-length 2nd of 8 to Mount Atlas in a similar C&D handicap 15 days ago. He’s been nudged up 3lb but is lightly raced for a 4-year-old and should go close if in the same form as last time.

3:55 – William Haggas saddled the winner of this 3-year-old only 1m 4f handicap in 2022. He saddles two of the nine runners – Solomon & Sam Hawkens. I just favour the latter, who is having his first start since joining the yard early last month. I’m not sure about quick ground as his sole career success came on heavy ground.

4:30 – The two to concentrate on in this mile handicap look to be the David O’Meara pair of New Image & Bopedro. New Image was a neck 2nd of 18 to Northern Express in the valuable International Stakes here over 7f 14 days ago. The step up to a mile should suit this progressive 4-year-old, who looks the one to beat. All six of Bopedro’s career wins have come from an official rating of 98 or less and over a straight or right-handed track. He races off a mark of 95 today and looks ready to win a handicap over 7f/1m if he gets a well-run race.

Shifting Focus to the Curragh

Curragh

4:35 – Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) – 6f

Just six runners, but an interesting contest, nonetheless. Whistlejacket, trained by Aidan O’Brien, won the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last month. The third-place finisher has since franked the form by winning a Group 2 at Goodwood last week. The son of No Nay Never is the one to beat on form for a yard that has won five of the last ten running’s of the race.

Babouche made it 2 from 2 when winning a Group 3 here (6 ½ f) 20 days ago. There should be more to come from the filly, and she only has 1lb to find with Whistlejacket on Racing Post Ratings.

Shadow Army wasn’t the best away and didn’t get the best of runs when a ¾ length 2nd of 7 in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly 27 days ago. With first-time cheekpieces applied, he can’t be totally discounted if as effective on quicker ground.

Saturday’s ‘Lay or Play’

Friday’s ‘lay or play’ Alcazan went in at Brighton at rewarding odds of 9/2. There are five qualifiers on Saturday. I don’t have time to look at them, but here they are for your perusal.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John