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I HAVE to admit that this afternoon is arguably my least favourite big Saturday of racing of the flat season with the Shergar Cup at Ascot a nonentity in my eyes as a format of racing. You could also argue that it places the punter at an even greater disadvantage than normal with several jockeys riding at a track they are unfamiliar with. To my eyes, and I’m sure many of you may disagree, the team ethic in our sport is a complete load of cobblers with absolutely no loyalty from any fans, even more so than the Racing Series, and boy that is saying something!

However, the bottom line is, there are still races to be run and won and if I were to have one wager on the whole card, then it would come in the opening handicap sprint at 1.35 on EXISTENT. He has been running in races mainly over his head in the past 12 months including the Group Two Temple Stakes (running a fair fourth) and then ninth of 17 (beaten a shade over five lengths) in the Group One King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He was finally dropped to a more realistic level last time out on the opening day of the Glorious Goodwood, when second to course specialist Lord Riddiford after getting a far from clear run through the middle section of the race. Having been dropped a further 2lbs to a mark of 98, he has outstanding claims here especially as he will have at least some dig in the ground. A clear run this time around could see him reverse recent form at the track with Intrinsic Bond and Bond Chairman. In fact the biggest danger to the five-year-old could come from the relatively lightly raced three-year-old Michaela’s Boy trained by Mick Appleby.

Elsewhere on the card at the Berkshire track expect a big run from the well handicapped ALRIGHT SUNSHINE in the stayers event at 2.10, while THE WIZARD OF EYE may well be up to defying top weight at a big price in the mile handicap off a mark of 103, his lowest rating for some nine months now.

If like me, you are hardly endeared towards the team meeting at Ascot, then the other cards up and down the country may well be a better medium for punting – and in particular at Newmarket with the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes the highlight at 3.40.

Surprisingly, this seven-furlong event rarely produces a filly that goes onto make waves in the classics the following season, but I suspect that JABAARA could buck that trend. I was at Newmarket (Rowley Mile course) when she made a winning debut in May, and I think we can readily write off her run in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (went off at 6/1) when she was way too keen through the first quarter mile to enable her to last out the full 1,200-metre trip.

Given plenty of time to recover from those exertions by trainer Roger Varian, the daughter of Exceed and Excel is taken to see off the likely favourite Soprano and Queen’s Reign.

The major handicap on the card is the Handicap at 4.15 also over seven furlongs. There is little doubt that Master Richard is better than his down the field run in the Hambleton Handicap at York, and he could be worth another chance here, but I want to be on the side of THUNDER BALL who ran an absolute cracker against his own age group when a three length third of 29 behind Docklands in the Britannia Handicap at the Royal Ascot meeting.

I think that this drop back to seven furlongs off a fast pace will see him in an even better light, and he gets the nod over Ann Duffield’s charge and the very well treated First Folio who is not fully exposed at the trip.

Fully 4lbs lower than when a one-and-a-half lengths second of nine to Indemnify at Sandown Park, HELM ROCK has returned to a very nice rating in the London Mile Series Qualifier at Haydock Park at 2.25 and anything around the 25/1 mark would make him a very interesting betting proposal.

The Listed Dick Hern Stakes at 4.10 looks as competitive a renewal of this extended mile event for many a year but if back to her best CRYSTAL CAPRICE has excellent claims based her fourth to Al Husn at Ayr. She was very free and had to race wide of the pack when well down the pack in the Kensington Palace Fillies Handicap at the Royal meet, and is well worth another chance here and may have most to fear from Purplepay. 

At the back end of the card, the three-year-old handicap over a mile (4.50) only has eight entries but looks tough to call, but I have been waiting for WIND IN YOUR SAILS to run again following a run on softer ground than she cares for at Chester last time out. With Newmarket unlikely to get much rain she could easily bounce back here at a price.

Finally, over at the Curragh have a second glance at SHARTASH in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at 3.25. The youngster is taken to reverse recent Hackwood Stakes form with the hugely consistent Commanche Falls, and looks a solid each-way alternative to the Michael Dods-trained runner.