Saturday 9th August 2025
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
SHERGAR CUP DAY
1.35 Ascot: Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash:
The first of my selections on Saturday comes within the 1.35 at Ascot on Shergar Cup, and this is the Dash, a Class 2 affair over five furlongs. I like Venture Capital here, for Kevin Ryan and Karis Teetan. He bounced back to form at Hamilton last time out, finishing just a neck second last weekend. He remains on the same mark as that run here, and should go well again if he’s in the same form.
VENTURE CAPITAL – 7/1 (Each-Way)
2.45 Ascot: Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge:
Next up for me will be the 2.45 at Ascot, and this is the Shergar Cup Challenge, which is Class 2 handicap action over a mile and four furlongs. I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here, and that’s Houstonn for Richard Hannon and Ryusei Sakai. He’s currently trading at a best price of 14/1, and I think he could outrun those odds. He’s run well on his last two outings over course and distance, and will contest this off four pounds lower than when he was third here back in May. He appears to act best on a quick surface, which he’ll also get again here. I think he could be a player.
HOUSTONN – 14/1 (Each-Way)
3.00: Haydock: Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes
I’ve got one selection from Haydock on the day, and this comes within the 3.00, which is the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, and this is contested over a distance of a mile and two and a half furlongs. I like Detain here for John & Thady Gosden, who’s set to be ridden by Rossa Ryan. I’m willing to forgive his no-show at Ascot last time out, as before that, he was an impressive three-quarters of a length third of eighteen in the Group 1 French Derby behind Camille Pisarro. That piece of form alone would give him a huge chance here, and I think he can bounce back to form, getting weight off his rivals here.
DETAIN – 4/1 (Win)
3.20 Ascot: Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint:
My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes back at Ascot, and within the Shergar Cup Sprint over six furlongs. I’ve come down on Milford here for the team of Julie Camacho and Hollie Doyle. He’s not won since winning on debut; however, he’s been knocking on the door as of late and was unlucky at Chester last time out when finishing a neck second of nine. He’s just a pound higher here than that Chester effort, and there’s nothing to suggest that he can’t go well again.
MILFORD – 6/1 (Each-Way)
