The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup brings together teams from around the world.
As a spectacle there are plenty of other race cards that appeal more to me as a fan of the gee-gees but I have to take my hat off to the team putting this together.
Not only do they have a great line up of jockeys, but they draw in a large crowd to Ascot and also have some excellent post-racing entertainment with live music from the likes of Rita Ora and Example.
To the business end and we’ll look elsewhere for betting purposes.
First let’s check out the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock (3.05pm). Elwazir is going to be tough to beat. The Owen Burrows-trained colt had a couple of sighters as a two-year-old but looked far more the finished article with an easy success at Sandown in June. He followed up at Ascot four weeks ago with similar ease and looks a likely Group performer. Zaaki placed in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot before being narrowly denied by Communique when giving away 12lbs.
Communique has since gone on to win at Goodwood and while respected he would need to find something on the face of it. Elwazir has lots of upside and despite the relatively short odds you can’t deny he’s the most likely winner.
If you really did want to take him on then at long odds, Brorocco ran well at York in a Group 2 and could figure if delivering a similar try.
Over at Newmarket there’s the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes for two year old fillies.
Despite there being just seven runners this is no easy task. Ajrar is an athletic individual and there is a feeling that she has a lot more ability than she has shown so far.
Main Edition won the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot beating La Pelosa in the process. The one that might draw punters is Frankie Dettori’s mount Pennywhistle, who won last time out. She’s definitely in with a good chance based on that run. She’d be my pick.
I think Dettori might have a big day on Saturday and it wouldn’t surprise me if he notches up a few for the multiple bets.