Get ready for some Japanese Magic at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.
Takeshi Yokoyama has a decent book of rides at Ascot’s annual jockeys’ team challenge and I fancy him to bag a winner on DIVINE MAGIC (1.35).
She didn’t get the fast pace she enjoys when beaten a neck at Newmarket two weeks ago and she shouldn’t have any worries on that score today with trail-blazing Bowman in the field. Have 2pts to win at 11-2 .
BOPEDRO (3.55) should also get a nice gallop to aim at.
He got going way too late when fourth behind Tempus on Ascot’s straight course on his first run for David O’Meara having joined from Irish trainer Jessie Harrington.
That was a decent starting point for his new trainer and his chances are boosted by the presence of several potential frontrunners.
He’s drawn Jamie Spencer in the jockey ballot and he rides Ascot as well as anyone. Have 2pts win at 6-1 .
One jockey who has had his share of success at Ascot gets the leg up on SHEER ROCKS (4.30).
Frankie Dettori might have had his troubles this season but he’s peerless at his spiritual home.
He teams up with a horse in decent form. Eve Johnson-Houghton’s runner won over 1m2f at Chester and he was far from disgraced when upped to 1m3f at Goodwood last week.
A bump coming out of the stalls put him on the back foot from the start and he did well to come from off the pace to snatch fourth behind prolific Caius Chorister.
The extra furlong of today’s race will help and he should be able to get a nice position from stall one.
Have 2pts each-way at 12-1 . Several bookies are paying out on four places.
Runners are rather thin on the ground at Newmarket but I think DARAMETHOS (3.05) is decent value on his first run for more than a year.
He looks the type to have improved for being gelded since we last saw him and fitness is rarely a worry with John and Thady Gosden’s runners.
Some of his form would make him the one to beat. Have 1pt to win at 7-1 .
