Saturday 12th August

Ascot 1.35 I must admit I am not a great fan of the Shergar Cup , but it does tend to give a few decent punting opportunities on jockeys that may not get that many chances on a big Saturday. This opening race is a race in point with overseas jockeys and only one or two household names from the UK. These sprints at the course tend to be draw bias influenced and with that in mind I think high draws may be the way to go. Existent has the ability but slow starts are something of a favourite pass time at the minute and that is never going to be ideal. Michaela’s Boy only just lost out in a very competitive race at the Curragh last time out and at a double figure price for a lady rider that seems to up her game when it comes to this Shergar Cup is the way to go. Advised Bet Michaela’s Boy 1/2 pt ew @ 10’1 Coral

Ascot 2.10 Zoffee is the current short priced favourite & that is only because Dettori is booked for the ride , on recent form he looks one to avoid. The Very Man’s credentials are questionable over whether he’s the best handicapped of these but on the evidence of recent starts he’s by far the most reliable with proven stamina. Alright Sunshine was sold out of Keith Dalgleish’s stable before latest, but is now well handicapped on his 2022 form. A tricky race and not one I wish to get involved with

Haydock 2.25 A big field handicap with plenty at the bigger odds looking well out of form , it’s possible one or two of them could be well handicapped but it’s a hard guess at to who ! . At the top of the market two 3 year olds Isle Of Jura & Poet Master have the most appealing profiles and it would not surprise me if those two fought out the finish

Ascot 2.45 Scampi has had plenty of racing this season but is holding his form well enough , but I am not sure there is enough wiggle room in the mark these days. The two Haggas runners La Yakel & Pride Of Priory look likely players. At a bigger price I like the chances of Max Mayhem who was sixth of 18 at the Royal meeting and even better form when second of seven here 15 days ago, both over C&D; that makes him in the form of his life. Advised Bet Max Mayhem 1/2 pt ew @ 11’1

Haydock 3.00 A rather weak Group 3 contest & the most probable winner looking to be Al Aasey who has the most solid form. On ratings you would have give Savvy Victory some sort of chance , but its not a race I wish to play in

Ascot 3.20 Perotto has been a little in and out of form this season and while if on a going day he can certainly win this I am not sure he is one to trust. Escobar is certainly well weighted these days , but form wise he has fell off a cliff this season. Empirestateofmind bounced back to form last time out at this track and that could signal a win is due sometime soon & with Dettori riding it could well be today. Advised bet Empirestateofmind 3/4 pt ew @ 13’2 Will Hill 4 places

Newmarket 3.40 A very competitive Group race for 2 year olds & it’s very hard to pin down a selection when the runners are open to such significant improvement. On visual form I thought Carolina Reaper looked the most impressive winner , but its not a race I am betting in at all

Ascot 3.55 This looks the most difficult race on the Ascot card today & I can’t find any route into making a selection , so its a race I am passing over on without going into any detail

Ascot 4.30 A race that should be decided by the draw with high numbers the place to be looking at. The winning machine that is Quinault has plenty of very good form , but the big hinderance is the jockey booking and that could well scupper his chances. Of the rest Dark Trooper is another on a winning roll but he has been running on heavy ground which can take it out of a horse coming back so soon. He’s A Monster has plenty of speed and the best could still be to come from him. Not a betting race for me

Curragh 4.40 Another Irish race stuck on the end of an ITV card and while is looks an intriguing race for the future its not a race I am interested in for betting purposes today