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The Shergar Cup at Ascot provides the bulk of the 10 race ITV coverage this weekend, and while team events in horse racing have always felt like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, personally I have always enjoyed the opportunity to watch leading riders from around the world compete. For punters it can be tricky to know how to deal with unfamiliar names and riding styles, but it’s best just to concentrate on the horse’s merits and start from there.

Both Shergar Cup selections are ridden by ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira, whose last visit here for the same competition in 2018 resulted in a double. Plagued by hip issues that looked as if they would lead to premature retirement, he remains a brilliant and, above all, tactically sound rider to have on your side.

First up is BOND CHAIRMAN 13/2 (13:35 Ascot) who, despite never actually having won at the track, has amassed a solid career record which includes three places and a fourth as a juvenile in the Windsor Castle from just five runs. His third to Intrinsic Bond here last time looks the key line of form, but there looks to be more pressure on the speed for Intrinsic Bond this time around with Michaela’s Boy and Tees Spirit other confirmed front runners in the field. Michaela’s Boy looks the ideal horse to give Bond Chairman a good tow into the race, and Moreira can do the rest.

BATAL DUBAI SP (16:30 Ascot) gives Moreira a great chance to bookend the card in the finale, the 6f three-year-old sprint handicap. Several of the horses here have already had good seasons, notably Quinault, but as a result have risen a long way in the weights. Batal Dubai has only had two runs this season, getting up near the line at Newcastle last time, and as a result may still have more upside.

Both selections run on the fast-drying Ascot straight course and would benefit from no rain between now and race time.

Away from Ascot, my gut reaction is still to want to take on Al Aasy in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes with KING OF CONQUEST 3/1 (15:00 Haydock). A similar strategy last time backfired as despite being a huge drifter on the day, Al Aasy showed far too much for his rivals. It could be the same again this time around but the Newbury race featured a very strange tactical change on Highland Avenue, which didn’t test the mettle of Al Aasy the way it should have done. Charlie Appleby’s yard were quiet during Royal Ascot and the cheekpieces are applied for the first time. This race raises the possibility of recency bias (where a horse’s last run is overrated in terms of their overall career profile) acting in Al Aasy actually going off too short this time and King Of Conquest too long.

STABLE TRACKER UPDATE

After Tough Enough obliged on Thursday it is the turn of CHERRY BLOSSOM (14:50 Curragh) to fly the flag. It looked significant that she made her debut in Listed company in a race which proved a little strange, with the field splitting into two small groups. She appeared to need the experience but was ridden with an eye to the future, hence her addition to the stable tracker, and can win here before stepping back up into pattern races.

JOCKEYS FOR COURSES

Our regular list of riders heading for tracks where they have a particularly good record in terms of winners ridden compared to the prices their mounts have started.

• Ascot – Saffie Osborne 8/53 (Actual/Expected Ratio 2.38) and included her first Group race victory on Random Harvest at the last meeting.
• Ayr – Andrew Breslin (A/E 1.74) is closely linked to his association with trainer Robert Smith, for whom he has three rides on the card.
• Haydock – Callum Shepherd 12/49 (A/E 2.42) and has just the one ride on the progressive Isle Of Jura in the 2.25 who may well have featured in the selections but for drawing stall 13.
• Newmarket (July) – Rossa Ryan (A/E 1.42) heading into Friday with virtually a full book of rides over the two-day meeting.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

The presence of Benoit De La Sayette at Redcar catches the eye. He has six booked rides with STAR PLAYER (14:38 Redcar) looking the main reason for his visit. His seventh place at Chester last time was much better than it looked as he got badly stopped in the closing stages, and he can gain compensation here, having been quite generously dropped a pound by the handicapper.

SELECTIONS

BOND CHAIRMAN 13/2 (13:35 Ascot)

STAR PLAYER (14:38 Redcar)

CHERRY BLOSSOM (14:50 Curragh)

KING OF CONQUEST 3/1 (15:00 Haydock)

BATAL DUBAI SP (16:30 Ascot)