IT IS the annual team competition of the Shergar Cup at Ascot this afternoon and I must admit that I am not a massive fan with so many visiting jockeys not only unfamiliar with the terrain of the Ascot track, but obviously the horses they are riding.

If we get a bit of rain at the Berkshire track then I suspect the best bet on the card could come in the form of COUNT D’ORSAY in the opening sprint handicap at 12.50.

This top-class handicapper has also been taking on some stronger opposition of late and probably ran a career best fifth in the Coral Charge at Sandown Park three outings back, looking beaten approaching the two furlong pole and then rallying up the final climb inside the final furlong.

The big danger for me has to be Stone of Destiny who needs everything to go his way of the back and needs a canny ride to hit the front late on. Give in the ground is no problem for him either although genuinely soft ground would be.

Off a handicap mark of 87, INDIANAPOLIS (nap) has been given a real chance by the assessor in the stayers event at 1.25 and his recent one paced fifth of 12 behind Scaramanga at Newbury was a fine effort and on this slight more forgiving surface, he has a big shot at this against the likes of Hasanabad and course and distance winner Island Brave.

Later on, C’EST NO MOUR has a cracking chance in the mile-and-a-half handicap at 2.00. The Simon Hodgson-trained charge comes here relatively fresh with just the two runs since the back end of 2020 and his run behind Amazing Red at Newmarket serves notice that his turn is just around the corner. 

The one caveat with him is that he wouldn’t want too much rain as he does seem better on top of the ground, so if the thunderstorms do miss the area he would be top of my list ahead of Spanish Kiss and the very well handicapped Sam Cooke.

In contrast, old RAISING SAND (nb) could be the one to follow in the mile handicap due off at 2.35. The nine-year-old relishes getting his toe into the turf and if he gets a solid pace to chase, which to be fair is not a given, then he will be hard to hold on the final climb to the line at the Berkshire track.

At Haydock Park the feature race is the Rose of Lancaster Stakes (4.10) and you wouldn’t put it beyond that brilliant old campaigner Euchen Glen to add to his amazing career record which has yielded 12 career wins approaching nearly £500k in prize money for this fabulous late developer and he does have a cracking record here.

The hat-trick seeking Real World will start a short-priced favourite for this extended mile-and-a-quarter event. He was impressive in winning the Steventon Stakes at Newbury on the back of landing the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, but it is worth noting if we do get the heavy rains forecast he will be running on the softest ground he has ever encountered and would therefore not be a certain runner.

But if the Merseyside track does indeed get plenty of precipitation then the three-year-old FANCY MAN could be the one to spring in the market place.

Richard Hannon’s charge was very much considered as a possible Derby player early in the season, but a combination of Sean Levey going for home too early and possibly not staying the extended mile and a half trip contributed to his defeat when two-and-three-quarter lengths third behind Youth Spirit in the Chester Vase. He also wasn’t suited to a moderately run race behind John Leeper in the Fairway Stakes and, freshened up after a break, he could be well-suited to the make-up of this race if the rains come in time.

Later on, TWO COP BOP has a real chance at a price in the extended seven furlong handicap at 4.40, while COLD STARE off top-weight could be a big mover in the market having come down the handicap for David O’Meara and any rain would be hugely welcome for this course and distance winner.

At Newmarket, the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes (2.50) is the chief prize on offer and returning to six furlongs after running green over seven at Sandown should suit WILD BEAUTY down to the ground and the Godolphin filly has solid claims in what could be a slightly below par renewal.

Later on, KOMACHI can make the most of the 10lbs he is set to receive from fellow Godolphin charge Storm Damage at 4.00.

LUCKY DEAL takes a drop in class in the mile-and-three-quarters handicap at 5.30 and off a rating of 95 has very solid claims of returning to the winner’s enclosure.