How the Shergar Cup is decided: the lowdown on the teams and format

Britain and Ireland go head to head at Ascot on Saturday as four teams contest the 20th running of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

They are joined by the Ladies team and the Rest of the World, who won the last competition in 2019 and now incorporate the European team due to travel complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each team compete in distinctive two-tone silks and comprise three jockeys, who each have five rides across the six handicaps, meaning their teams have a spare rider in the event of an injury.

Shergar Cup card

The scoring scale starts at 15 points to the winner down to three for the jockey who finishes fifth. The Rest of the World team won with 86 points in 2019, the Ladies team scored 76 in 2018, while Great Britain and Ireland won with 86 points in 2017.

The Great Britain team is captained by Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby and he is joined by Shergar Cup debutant Cieren Fallon and James Doyle, who competes for the first time since 2013.

Great Britain and Ireland have been separated this season and the Irish team will be captained by weighing-room veteran Joe Fanning. The team also includes Tadhg O'Shea, the most successful jockey of all time in the UAE, and David Egan, winner of this year's Saudi Cup.

The Ladies team is captained by Hayley Turner, the all-time leading rider at the Shergar Cup and a two-time winner of the Silver Saddle, which is awarded to the top jockey at the meeting. She is joined by globetrotting French rider Mickaelle Michel and Nicola Currie.

The Rest of the World team has a more familiar feel this year due to travel restrictions and features three British-based jockeys. It will be captained by Sean Levey, who was born in Swaziland, and he is joined by Danish-born rider Kevin Stott and Andrea Atzeni, who moved from Italy aged 17.

If you want more on the weekend's action . . .

12.50 Ascot: Shergar Cup queen Hayley Turner aims to set winning Tone with familiar partner

1.25 Ascot: Rapid improver Call My Bluff bids for Stayers success under Mickaelle Michel

2.00 Ascot: Luck of the Irish? Three strong chances for Team Ireland in Shergar Challenge

2.35 Ascot: William Stone praying for rain as in-form trainer targets first Ascot winner

2.50 Newmarket: 'She's probably the one to beat' - which filly is fancied for the Sweet Solera?

3.10 Ascot: 'He's the pick of my rides' - leading lady Turner targeting more Shergar success

3.45 Ascot: Cairn Gorm primed to run big race in Shergar Cup finale says Channon

4.10 Haydock: The real deal? Rose Of Lancaster test for exciting Godolphin colt Real World

4.55 Cork: Thunder Kiss out to disrupt Weld and O'Brien dominance in Give Thanks Stakes

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here