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

Saturday: 2.00 Ascot
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Ireland's three jockeys have drawn top rides in this middle-distance contest so perhaps this will be the crucial leg of the competition.

Team captain Joe Fanning rides the consistent Group One Power, representing the Andrew Balding stable who sent out Genetics to win this in 2018 and finish second the following year.

Meanwhile, Tadhg O'Shea is tasked with pointing Spanish Kiss in the right direction after he disappointed on his most recent start. The William Knight-trained four-year-old won comfortably at York and Newmarket before flopping here.

He had looked hugely promising and perhaps a switch back down in distance to a mile and a half can reignite the son of Lope De Vega. Connections will hope there is more to come from this lightly raced type as he has an entry in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor and is a 25-1 chance with the race sponsors.

Knight said: "He's been clobbered twice by the handicapper and I'm not sure if he's caught up with him or the slowly run race didn't suit him last time out. He gets a mile six but he's got quite a high cruising speed so the mile and a half won't be a problem.

William Knight expects Spanish Kiss to be 'very competitive'Credit: Ed Whitaker

"Any more rain would help. He's in good order and has a nice draw which should help him get a nice position. I think he can be very competitive."

The Irish team is completed by Graphite, representing trainer Terry Kent. The seven-year-old comes here after a much-improved second at Newmarket and will be ridden by David Egan.

Kent said: "We're happy with how he's training and he won't mind any rain, it'd probably benefit him. He ran a nice race at Newmarket last time out and we were pleased with it.

"He seems to have come out of it well and we've been looking for the ground more than anything so I hope Ascot gets the rain they've been forecast."

What they say

Ian Williams, trainer of Restorer and Mancini
Mancini has a great jockey booking in James Doyle. The trip is a little bit on the short side for him but the rain will help around a big galloping track like Ascot. Restorer will appreciate any rain and should run well.

Ed Dunlop, trainer of Master The Stars
We've luckily got Hayley, the queen of the Shergar Cup. I probably ran him back too quickly last time and he's had a bit of a break. He's come back and we're pleased with his work, he's got a nice draw and we're hoping he'll run well for her. The bit of rain in the forecast will suit him.

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

2.35 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

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