Tom Marquand had cut William Buick’s lead in the Flat jockeys’ championship from 14 to 10 in a fortnight before racing on Friday, and his GB & Ireland team could well be the ones to back at around 9-4 in the Shergar Cup if he can carry that form into the annual riders’ event at Ascot on Saturday.
Marquand’s mount The Wizard Of Eye (3.20) has been campaigned in Pattern company for much of his career and has been dropped a couple of pounds after a solid performance on his belated handicap debut in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last time. Stan Moore’s gelding has a live chance in the Mile on that form, while Marquand’s teammates, Luke Morris and Declan McDonogh, could also notch winners elsewhere on the card.
Ascot 1.35: Tees Spirit has shown very little in his two outings so far this year but drops into handicap company for the first time since August 2022 after starts in much stronger events and has had a wind operation since his latest start.
Ascot 2.10: Jessica Harrington’s two runners in last year’s Shergar Cup – her first at the event – finished first and second and The Very Man, a close second in a valuable race at the Galway Festival last month, can further improve her record.
Haydock 2.25: Likely favourite Isle Of Jura has a 14lb hike and a wide draw to overcome so Hafeet Alain could be a live opponent at around 8-1.
Ascot 2.45: This could be one for the “Magic Man” as João Moreira’s ride, La Yakel, ran a fine race on his belated return to action over track and trip last month.
Haydock 3.00: The quirky Al Aasy is the early favourite but the reliable King Of Conquest, who did not get the gaps he needed at Royal Ascot in June, looks a better bet at around 3-1.
Kempton Park 2.10 Jakima 2.45 Lady Of Arabia 3.20 Caelan 3.55 Lady De Bathe 4.30 Daphne May 5.00 Bodygroove
Wolverhampton 2.25 Musterion 3.00 Zipster 3.35 Snazzy Jazzy 4.10 Giselles Izzy 4.40 White Mist 5.10 Stoney Lane
Windsor 4.25 The Cola Kid 4.55 Mapmaker 5.30 Drama 6.00 Pinpoint 6.30 Birkie Boy 7.00 Mezon 7.30 Portoro 8.00 Reel Power
Hamilton Park 6.10 Impressor (nb) 6.40 Chumbaa 7.10 Dreams Adozen 7.40 Shine On Brendan (nap) 8.10 Slainte Mhath 8.40 Zephlyn
Newmarket 3.40: Carolina Reaper took a big step forward to lose his maiden tag over course and distance last month and can find the further improvement required to open his Group-race account here.
Ascot 3.55: The runner with obvious scope for progress is handicap debutant Intinso after a close third last time in a strongly run race that has already produced a subsequent winner.
Nottingham 2.30 Motarajel 3.00 Rose Branch 3.30 King Lear 4.00 Golden Shot 4.30 Johnny James 5.05 Buddy’s Beauty
Lingfield 2.50 Sir Sedric 3.20 Hot Front 3.50 Restric (nb) 4.20 Elnajmm 4.55 Calcutta Dream 5.30 Manyana
Newcastle 5.25 Western Beat 6.00 Hildegard (nap) 6.30 Galactic Charm 7.00 Making Dreams 7.30 Reflex 8.00 Urban Road 8.30 Bold Territories 9.00 Golden Rainbow
Chelmsford 5.40 Fakhama 6.15 Monaadhil 6.45 Wonder Legend 7.15 Hey Lyla 7.45 Cappananty Con 8.15 Autumnal Breeze
Ascot 4.30: The highly progressive Quinault is the shortest-priced favourite on the card and deservedly so after a six-race winning streak in handicaps which started on a mark of 59.
