Form analysis and key trainer views as seasoned handicappers face off

2.25 AscotDubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Celebration Handicap | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV4/SKY

The addition of cheekpieces brought about an improved performance from Jalaad at York last time, but the Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old has gone up 5lb in the weights and hasn’t got the most consistent profile.

A three-time winner, his two previous victories had been achieved after breaks of at least 56 days and he looks the type who might need to be kept interested.

That puts a question mark over whether the headgear will have the same positive effect second time around and he doesn’t make obvious appeal as a contender to follow up.

Kasbaan (sixth) and Shelir (eighth) contested the International Handicap over seven furlongs at this course last time and both put in eyecatching efforts of different sorts.

Kasbaan was forced to switch widest to the middle of the track to make his effort and ended up marooned away from the principals, while Shelir travelled well but was denied a clear run.

The key to picking between the pair could be the distance and that favours Kasbaan, who has won twice over a mile and even boasts a victory over a mile and a quarter. The extra furlong and greater emphasis on stamina should bring out the best in him.

The final mention has to go to Via Serendipity, who is the best handicapped in the race. Via Serendipity is now 12lb lower than when recording his last success on turf in a mile handicap on the round course at this venue in August 2018 and could be a class apart.

He has his first start since joining the Charlie Fellowes yard from Stuart Williams and Fellowes has an impressive 24 per cent strike-rate with horses who have been switched to his stable since their latest run in the last five seasons. He could easily get Via Serendipity back.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Ed Walker, trainer of Cap Francais
He got back on track and then off track coming back in trip this year. Hopefully it was the awful ground at Haydock last time and it will be very different ground at Ascot. He is in cracking form, the stiff mile is ideal and hopefully he will get back on track again.

Roger Varian, trainer of Game Player
This looks a good place for his belated start to the season as he should like the fast ground and a mile looks his trip.

David O'Meara, trainer of Shelir
He has been competitive enough in some big handicaps and was drawn on the wrong side at Ascot. The draw is not a problem and hopefully he can get his head in front this time.

Hayley Turner executes a perfect ride to take the Shergar Cup Mile on Via Serendipity (left, pink)Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Via Serendipity
He has not been with me very long and I'm still learning about him. This race suits with no unexposed three-year-olds in there and he has run very well over the course and distance and Hayley [Turner] knows him very well. I love the straight course at Ascot.

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Jalaad
He has been working well as always and has a good chance.

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Wild Hope
He won well at Doncaster last time and should be up to winning a big race like this.

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