Shergar Cup Day

Professional tipster Ben Merritt gives his thoughts on today's racing...

4.30 Ascot - OZAT 100/30 (NAP)

OZAT will be no surprise to many, he was desperately unlucky at Goodwood last time out in the Golden Mile and loads better than his finishing position of 15th of 18. Still hard on the bridle at the furlong pole, he could have finished anywhere that day, you certainly couldn't argue that he'd have won, yet comes into todays race rated 2lb lower. I said that day, that he was picked on the basis of the huge run in the Royal Hunt Cup over this C&D, off a mark 3lb higher than this, so the course will pose no issue either. With better luck this time round, he should run a huge race.

1.35 Ascot - BOLO NEIGHS 4/1 (Next Best)

Plenty of past winners of this race had their previous run over this C&D a couple of weeks prior. That race was won on the day by ALL WAYS GLAMOUROUS, getting a soft lead and seeing it out well to beat a good field. He's feared here but it was another horse, who won the same race on his side of the track, that catches the eye. BOLO NEIGHS was hammered in the market that day, with Saffie Osborne on a remarkable 4 timer, but a very slow break, combined with a distinct track disadvantage, scuppered those bets. He is, undoubtedly, better at 6f but this should be well run and he's proven he has the pace to lay up over 5. Provided he can break on terms here, he should be seeing this race out better than most. Christophe Lemaire is one of the better riders at the meeting, which is always a plus on this day.

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