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

Saturday: 12.50 Ascot
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Hayley Turner, the queen of the Shergar Cup, will no doubt be eager to make it a hat-trick of silver saddles and she has been handed a great opportunity for a perfect start by being paired with a course-and-distance winner on whom she has already been successful.

That mount is the Stuart Williams-trained Tone The Barone, whom she steered to a six-length victory at Chelmsford last February. He hasn't raced since finishing seventh on All-Weather Finals day in April but Turner rode a winner for Williams en route to being the leading jockey on this day in 2018 and the partnership has to be feared again.

Williams said: "He likes the track and he's won there before. He seems in great form at home and we're going there quite hopeful. Hayley has won on him before, so it's nice to have drawn her."

Tis Marvellous, who is poised to make his 11th start at the course for Clive Cox, is another who flourishes at Ascot.

The seven-year-old, who will be ridden by Kevin Stott, has won twice here, including in this race in 2018, and his worst placing is a sixth-place finish. That was at Group 1 level, however, when Caravaggio, Harry Angel and Blue Point filled the placings.

Tis Marvellous: won this race in 2018Credit: Getty Images

"He's a very happy course performer and saves his best for Ascot," said Cox. "He's won this in the past and continues to please with his whole approach and appetite for the job. He's versatile on ground and we've got Kevin Stott on board, which is good news."

Cox hopes first reserve First Edition can sneak into the race, with the son of Invincible Spirit still an unknown quantity as he steps down in grade from Listed level.

"He wouldn't want it too soft," the trainer said. "He was a very tidy performer at Sandown in his maiden last season and ran admirably in the Mill Reef. He's been gelded since his last start and, if it isn't too soft, he could pack a punch."

What they say

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Magical Spirit
He's down in trip but he's pretty versatile and any rain that comes will be ideal for him. We've got a very good jockey in Adam Kirby. He's a big positive, especially at Ascot.

Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Aplomb
He skidded on the ground last time. We've got the old pro Joe Fanning, so I won't need to tell him what to do. He's got a chance, especially with rain in the forecast.

Mick Appleby, trainer of King Of Stars
I hope they don't get too much rain; if it went soft we wouldn't run. You can draw a line through his Goodwood run as the ground didn't suit him at all. He's been improving, so we'll see.

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

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

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