My picks for the Shergar Cup....

Friday, 8th August 2025

My picks for the Shergar Cup….

Shergar Cup angles….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in the Shergar Cup at Ascot….

I’m on VENTURE CAPITAL in the 1.35 at Ascot – up at 7s….

…. I’m on NIGHT BREEZE at 6s & 11/2 in the 2.45….

…. I’m on ZAYER at 10s & 9s in the 3.20….

…. and I’m on TREASURE TIME at 6s in the 4.30….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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Kevin Ryan’s VENTURE CAPITAL at 7s is the bet for tomorrow’s Shergar Cup Dash at Ascot (1.35)….

He was progressive at the minimum trip last summer but kind of lost his way this term – notwithstanding a win at Ripon in April off 90….

A wind operation in June didn’t seem to make much difference, and it was the application of first time cheekpieces last time at Thirsk that sparked a return to form….

The headgear is on again tomorrow and this 4yo will handle the quick underfoot conditions….

He likes the track too….

…. placing twice in decent handicaps – despite running at the wrong trip first time around and the ground turning against him the next….

If he’s back on his game then he’s a player off 91….

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Dramatic Star appeared to have benefitted from being gelded when last seen in October….

…. he’s the least exposed runner in the field for the Shergar Cup Challenge (2.45)….

…. strikes as progressive at the trip….

…. and is surely nicely weighted on a mark of 89….

But he’ll need to do it first-time up….

…. and he’s been well-found in the betting….

NIGHT BREEZE is 6lb higher than when winning over course and distance back in May….

…. but he’s run well the last twice from his current mark of 86….

…. hitting the frame in a hot Old Newton Cup at Haydock – the winner that day was particularly well handicapped….

…. and finding Mount Atlas – now rated 105 – just a little too good last time over course and distance….

He’s in good heart, running well, and can be backed at 6s & 11/2….

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Prince Of India is a deserving favourite for the Shergar Cup Sprint (3.45)….

…. after running away with a big handicap last time out at Newmarket….

He’s up 11lb for that success and the horse that was in third that day – ZAYER – can turn thing around running off the same mark of 96….

He was running over 6f for the first time that afternoon and will benefit from the experience….

Archie Watson’s charge seems suited to the big-field handicap environment….

…. he was 4/24 in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the Royal meeting over the minimum trip the time before in June….

He got a little outpaced in the early stages but stayed on really well at the death….

Back at the same venue tomorrow with an extra furlong to run into could see him progress again….

…. and with Joanna Mason on top, he benefits from one of few riders in tomorrow’s event with any experience of riding the idiosyncratic Ascot straight….

I think he’s a nice price at 10s & 9s….

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TREASURE TIME disappointed backers at Goodwood last week – failing to build on a decent-enough return to action at Sandown in July….

…. there was obviously something not quite right and the application of first-time cheekpieces suggests it’s got something to do with a lack of focus or concentration….

Whether or not the headgear does the job remains to be seen (trainer William Haggas is 28/196 @ 14.3% with first-time cheekpieces since the start of 2010)….

…. but this 4yo certainly has the potential to progress again off a mark of 93 and tomorrow’s Shergar Cup Mile (4.30) represents a good opportunity….

It’s a quick – and probably unplanned – turnaround. That’s for sure….

…. but my read is that they had him right for Goodwood, he fluffed his lines, and this is a second strike with the hot iron….

Hollie Doyle gets the ride, and she’ll no doubt get plenty of advice from husband Tom Marquand – Treasure Time’s regular pilot….

With a set-up like this I wonder whose writing the script….

It’s the last race of the event….

…. much could hang on it….

…. and in that scenario I’d probably want to be with Hollie Doyle – fated to be the new Hayley Turner (at least as far as the Shergar Cup franchise is concerned)….

The appropriately named Treasure Time might just be the right ride at the right time on the big day – and he’s a bet at the general 6s….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd