Ryan Moore did what Ryan Moore does. Asgard’s Captain, the horse this morning’s Ascot preview nominated as the value at 13/2, won the 2:45 Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge at 6/1 — while Night Breeze, the 9/4 favourite, the site NAP and Templegate’s NAP, could finish only fifth in his bid to repeat last year’s win.
| Pos | Horse | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Asgard’s Captain | Ryan Moore | 6/1 |
| 2nd | Sportingsilvermine | Yutaka Take | 16/1 |
| 3rd | Enemy | Mme F Valle Skar | 28/1 |
The Race Story
The preview’s logic was that Asgard’s Captain was 8lb better off with Night Breeze for last year’s meeting and that Moore would get a stronger-run mile and a half. That is precisely what unfolded: Dylan Cunha’s gelding tracked the leaders, was nudged along over two furlongs out and led over a furlong from home in 2m 30.73s, holding Japanese legend Yutaka Take on Sportingsilvermine, with 28/1 shot Enemy third for Scandinavia’s Frida Valle Skar. Night Breeze, so brilliant at this fixture twelve months ago, never landed a blow for Dylan Browne McMonagle — the Ascot form figures finally have a blemish.
Tipster Accountability
The heaviest swing of the day. Templegate’s NAP goes down, and after next best Shrimp Shady’s defeat in the Stayers, his headline Saturday card is in ruins — his ledger, 11 units and clear at the top this morning per the day-one review, provisionally slides to around 9 before Stephen James settles the full book on Sunday. Paul Kealy’s four Ascot picks in the Post are also awaiting settlement. For the site, though: the preview’s stated value pick has won this race at 6/1.
Looking Ahead
The team contest stays alive into the 3:55 Shergar Cup Classic, where the preview sides with Archers Bay (5/2 this morning) now that Moore takes over on the Botti runner dropped in grade. Hong Kong’s early double through Tuco Salamanca and Dancing In Paris means GB&I needed this one — and got it.
