Shergar Cup Free Bet

Shergar Cup Sprint
Sa Aug 7 - 16.20 Ascot

Best horse in the race today. Massive pace bias after they went off like sprinters. I'd be surprised if the winner beats him again. Azamour was flattered by a superb Kinane ride, and the fact that he was held up way off the pace. The proximity of another hold up horse ND, who is not G1 class, just confirms this. Ditto Warsaan. A bit more restraint from Gillet and we'd be acclaiming a real superstar.

Roll on Longchamp, where he will again be a massive price. Champion 2yo and Champion 3yo could well become Champion older horse.

Bago would have the measure of Azamour if they met again under similar conditions, now that he has no doubts about the trip next time Kinane would probably wait longer before letting Azamour go and Bago does not have that turn of foot, the reason so many rags finished well is because they didn't go with the leaders initially, however having said that Azamour does need a few things to go his way especially the ground which couldn't be fast enough for him but a even bigger worry is his style of running and if he got a wide draw in the Arc allied to the usual softish going he'd be the place lay in the race. All in all the Arc could be the race of the season if they all turn up Shawanda, Bago, Azamour, Hurricane Run, Grey Swallow and Motivator and I'd still be with Motivator assuming he gets his easy ground.
 

Bago has the measure of Azamour if they meet again. Yesterday was a funny, muddling race caused by an astounding misjudgement from all jockeys except Mick Kinane and John Egan. While admittedly Azamour is a top class horse, he is a 10f horse more so than a 12f horse. Accroding to my speed figures he ran slower yesterday than he does at 10f.

Of the horses up with the pace only Bago was able to sustain any kind of effort. The race was run to suit closers, of which Azamour was clearly the best. You even say this yourself.

As for turn of foot, Azamour "quickened" against horses who were going backwards, slightly different from Bago who cut down a horse who had all but gone in the Arc, taking lengths out of the rest of the closers in the space of a 100 yards in the process.

I know which one I'd prefer at Longchamp, although I very much doubt we'll see them clash.