Who will win at Ascot? Tom Collins has found three trades at the Shergar Cup

Horse racing team events are the sporting equivalent of Marmite - fans seem to either love or hate them. However, unlike the newly-introduced Racing League, the Shergar Cup has cemented its place in the calendar by focusing on the unique global jockey battle.

Four teams will once again compete against each other on the Ascot turf in a bid to accumulate the most points over Saturday’s eight races. The Ladies team has come out on top three times in the last six renewals of the Shergar Cup, but there’s greater strength-in-depth across the Rest Of The World, Europe and GB and Ireland teams this year, so it’s sure to be an enthralling battle. 

As much as the team competition provides a much-needed angle to attract a large crowd, finding winning trades remains the most important thing. Here are three horses that are worth following.

2.10 Ascot, 5f Shergar Cup Dash

Daniel Tudhope has taken all before him at Ascot this year. The northern-based jockey, who excelled at the royal meeting two months ago, has a 24 per cent strike-rate (6/25) with his rides at the Berkshire track this season, returning a £1 level-stakes profit of +£74.50.

He will partner six-time winner Arecibo in the Shergar Cup Dash, which looks the perfect spot to see this veteran return to form. Robert Cowell’s seven-year-old has been a mainstay in Group sprints in recent years but now drops into handicap company for the first time since he romped clear of five rivals at Newmarket 15 months ago.

In fact, Arecibo is unbeaten in handicaps since he joined Cowell. Those wins came off marks of 91 and 99, so this challenge is slightly harder, but he has the talent to pick up his inferior rivals under his talented pilot.

Selection: Arecibo @ 5.2

3.55 Ascot, 1m Shergar Cup Mile

Hong Kong-based Vincent Ho steered home Power Of Darkness to justify strong market support with consummate ease in this race two years ago. Although Ho isn’t part of the Rest Of The World team this time around, Power Of Darkness is back to retain his crown off an attractive-looking 3lb lower handicap mark.

He has only won once in the interim, a decisive Newmarket success this time last year, but he returned with a promising reappearance run on that track before pulling far too hard when last seen. The return to Ascot should see him in a better light and he’s far more interesting than his price suggests.

This trade comes with a caveat - Power Of Darkness is first reserve at this stage and will only run if one of his rivals is withdrawn from the contest. With that in mind, keep an eye on the market throughout the day to find out whether or not he will line-up.

Selection: Power Of Darkness @ 14.5

5.05 Ascot, 6f Shergar Cup Sprint

William Haggas’ unexposed sprinter Razeyna, who is the mount of Spanish-based Jose-Luis Martinez, is set to dominate this market on the back of a last-gasp Carlisle success 30 days ago. She warrants respect given her powerful connections, but she needs to improve a great deal to beat a couple of in-form rivals.

Spangled Mac, who has won his last four races for George Boughey, is sure to be a leading player once again under Nicola Currie. But it’s another of the Ladies’ team, Joanna Mason, who pilots the selection, Admiral D.

This precocious son of Ardad was considered talented enough to run in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot last year and, although he didn’t feature at the finish that day, a subsequent Naas handicap success off a mark of 82 showcased his talent. 

Admiral D joined Richard Fahey’s yard earlier this year and has been set lofty big-field handicap targets to date. His first two performances caught the eye, and he almost bellied huge odds to win a highly competitive Newmarket handicap last time out. This contest appears much easier, so he’s taken to get off the mark for new connections.

Selection: Admiral D @ 4.4

Recommended trades

Back Arecibo (2.10 Ascot) @ 5.2
Back Power Of Darkness (3.55 Ascot) @ 14.5
Back Admiral D (5.05 Ascot) @ 4.4