The Shergar Cup, Flat racing’s annual team contest, will be held at Ascot on Saturday with a new guest in the form of Hong Kong. For the first time, the event has been integrated with World Pool, a global betting system managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, marking a shift in how punters will engage with the races.
The UK’s Tote platform is allowing domestic bettors to access the World Pool system, with a guarantee to match starting prices and potentially offer better returns than fixed-odds bookmakers. This change is expected to attract a wider betting audience, especially in markets where live-streaming of the event is available.
Key jockeys and teams confirmed
Ryan Moore and Dylan Browne McMonagle are among the top jockeys confirmed to ride for the Great Britain and Ireland team. Their availability was secured after the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh was moved to Sunday. Saffie Osborne rounds out the trio, forming a powerful line-up for the event.
The teams competing this year include Europe, the Rest of the World, and the newly added Hong Kong team. The inclusion of Hong Kong is a major point of interest, especially with the integration of World Pool, which has not previously been linked to the Shergar Cup.
Twilight Calls and Thunder Call among favorites
Twilight Calls is tipped to be a key contender in the opening race, the Shergar Cup Dash. The horse has won two of its three starts this season, including races at Newmarket and Goodwood, and is considered a fair price at 5/1. Richard Spencer, its trainer, has a strong record in sprint handicaps.
Apollo One, another runner in the same race, is also under consideration for a bet due to its recent drop in the handicapper’s ratings. The horse has a solid record at Ascot, which could be a big advantage.
Thunder Call is expected to shine in the Shergar Cup Sprint. The William Haggas-trained three-year-old has shown steady improvement, winning at Kempton and York before finishing third in a competitive handicap at Newmarket. Its last race saw it held up behind rivals, but it finished strongly once clear, suggesting the form is solid.
Though Thunder Call may be more suited to seven furlongs, the six-furlong Shergar race could be ideal for it. The horse is also entered in a Newmarket race, but the Shergar Cup race is more valuable, making it a better opportunity.
Night Breeze a dark horse pick for Challenge race
In the Shergar Cup Challenge, Night Breeze is the favorite for punters to consider. The six-year-old, trained by Ian Williams, has not finished outside the top three in its last four starts. It finished third over 10 furlongs at Goodwood last week and is expected to improve after returning to 12 furlongs for this race.
Night Breeze is priced at 11/2. While last year’s winner, NIGHT BREEZE, is also in the mix, the current favorite is seen as the more consistent performer. If given the chance to run freely, it could be a strong contender in the 2.45pm race.