The popular Shergar Cup day takes place at Ascot today and this year there are four teams battling it out over a six race card starting at 12.55.

Ascot 12.55 Les Ambassadeurs Casino Shergar Cup Mile The main question here is how Nine Realms will perform after a slightly lacklustre first run of the season. The Wine Tipster thinks that Nine Realms has too much to do and his siding with Andrew Balding’s Roserrow, who is certainly progressive.Selection: Roserrow win 8/1.

Ascot 1.30 Redcentric Shergar Cup Stayers 2m Sir Mark Prescott is renowned for the placement of his horses and his Mutual Respect, a winner last time at Ffos Las over this distance, looks open to improvement against some tough opposition including Broxbourne and Brockwell. Selection: Mutual Regard win 5/1.

Ascot 2.05 Barclays Shergar Cup Dash  5f Ahtoug looks well handicapped and his trainer Charlie Appleby’s stable is in good form so with a pull in the weights Ahtoug can reverse the form with joint favourite Steps when they last met on July 28^th at Ascot. Selection: Ahtoug win 9/2.

Ascot 2.40 Keltbray Shergar Cup Classic 1m 4f Chesterfield, despite a six pound penalty after his determined victory over Lady Pimpernel over 1m 2f, looks sure to benefit from the longer trip of 1m 4f and give trainer Charlie Appleby a double, whilst Cathy Gannon’s mount Cardinal Palace looks good for some place money.  Selections: Chesterfield win 11/4 and Cardinal Palace each way 12/1. 

Ascot 3.15  Pagegroup Shergar Cup Challenge 1m 4f Star Lahib will relish the return to 1m 4f and his two wins this season have both been over this trip. Ustura is the main danger and if runs to his Royal meeting form then he is a big threat, although The Wine Tipster still takes Mark Johnston’s Star Lahib to just edge this tight handicap. Selection: Star Lahib win 7/2.

Ascot 3.50 Dubal Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint 6f Trainer William Haggas continues in cracking form and look set for another successful Saturday in televised races with favourite Noble Deed’s three wins all coming at this distance of 6f, this looks the horse to be punting your pounds on.Selection: Noble Deed win  5/2

Channel 4’s is also featuring these races with my The Wine Tipster’s tips:

2.20 Haydock: Educate 9/1 each way.

2.55 Haydock: Telescope 4/5 win.

3.35 Newmarket: Wedding Ring  7/2 win. 

To celebrate a successful afternoon The Wine Tipster suggests some wonderful fizz from Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaïque NV, £25, Great Western Wines or Laurent-Perrier’s delicious and expressive Laurent-Perrier Millésime 2004,Champagne, France £43.99. Stockists: Sainsbury’s, Oddbins

Cheers!