Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup meeting, comprised of six tight handicaps, is always a punting challenge made more difficult by how the individual riders perform.
However, in the opening Dash, trainer Mick Appleby must have been delighted when Gerald Mosse was allocated to his in-form sprinter DANZENO who could prove a solid bet.
The eight-year-old has returned in terrific heart this season, bolting up at Nottingham (5f) first time out, finishing third in the Wokingham (6f) and then taking a conditions race at Haydock.
Moreover, Danzeno has a good record at Ascot, winning over the course and distance in July 2017 as well as performing strongly in Group company. With Caspian Prince likely to set a fast pace, he can pick them off in the closing stages under his hugely experienced and unflustered veteran rider.
My next fancy is for Hayley Turner's mount MELTING DEW in the Challenge Handicap over a mile and a half.
Sir Michael Stoute's gelding has been below his best so far this season but was staying on when hampered in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last time and now runs off a 3lb lower mark than when narrowly beaten by Sir Chauvelin at Goodwood just over a year ago.
On that day, Melting Dew had been re-fitted with cheekpieces and they are back on again here. On another occasion when the the aids were applied, he was beaten a neck by Duke Of Bronte in a competitive handicap over this course and distance in September 2017, and a much better run is expected here.
Andrew Balding has often done well at this meeting and the improving NEVER DO NOTHING should go close in the Classic.
Another strong gallop looks likely here and, having won at Goodwood previously, the son of Casamento was keeping on well over this course and distance last month when third behind Floating Artist and the promising Faylaq.
The experienced Australian rider Mark Zahra gets the leg up on this genuine type who appears to be making steady progress.
In the closing Sprint, Zahra has drawn BARBILL who has run well on his last two starts, finishing a close fifth behind the re-opposing Pass The Vino (now 10lb worse off) before filling the same position behind Waldpfad and last week's Stewards Cup winner Khaadem in the Group Three Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.
Taking conditions race form literally is not always wise but a reproduction of that effort should see Barbill very competitive here back in handicap company, and his trainer Mick Channon remains in good form.
Posted at 1400 BST on 09/08/19
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