Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Jamie Lynch gather once more to dissect the most promising wagering strategies for the upcoming Shergar Cup Sprint at Ascot, set for Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The conversation centers around the market favourite, Thunder Call, who entered the betting ring after a disappointing performance in his recent three-year-old handicap at Newmarket, where he fell short of a hat‑trick.
Despite Thunder Call's strong odds, each of the three pundits has identified a different contender they believe could upset the established order. Senior form analyst Jamie Lynch opens the discussion with a focus on the lightly‑rated sprinter Havana Hurricane, trained by the respected Eve Johnson Houghton. "Quick ground conditions will suit Havana Hurricane," Lynch explains, noting that the horse is stretching out to six furlongs after previously contesting five‑furlong races. "This is only his third start in a handicap, and he showed promise last season when he captured the Windsor Castle Stakes." Lynch emphasizes the importance of race tactics, pointing out that the last five winners of the Shergar Cup Sprint have all been held back early and then produced a sustained gallop in the latter stages.
"A patient ride, allowing him to settle off the pace before making a decisive move, is the key," he says. "Given his pedigree and the trainer’s record with sprinting mares, he offers genuine value as an each‑way selection." The conversation then shifts to another promising female runner, Figjam.
"Figjam finished a close second in a tough handicap at Doncaster last season," Lynch notes, adding that she also ran respectably in the Firth of Clyde, finishing fourth against a strong field. "She’s making her debut in a handicap today, and while her official rating may appear a touch generous, she remains relatively untested at this level." Lynch highlights the trainer, Katie Scott, who has built a reputation for developing sprinting mares this season.
"Figjam is arguably more inexperienced than some of the other runners, but that also means she could be undervalued by the market. Her blend of speed and stamina makes her a genuine contender, especially if the pace unfolds favourably." BetVictor’s Sam Boswell then offers his perspective, taking a contrarian stance by targeting the race favourite, Cape Ashizuri, trained by John and Sean Quinn. "Cape Ashizuri has been thrown into some challenging situations early in his career," Boswell says. "He ran in the Champagne Stakes on his second start and finished last, yet his connections still saw enough merit to place him in a Group Two on his next outing." Boswell continues, describing how Cape Ashizuri subsequently faced Saber Strike—a high‑class opponent—in a subsequent race, before underperforming in a large‑field handicap at York.
"That was only his fifth start overall, and I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt," Boswell asserts. "He now has Dylan Browne‑McMonagle aboard for the first time, a jockey who has consistently delivered strong performances in the Shergar Cup. The ground is expected to be good, which should suit his running style, making him a solid bet despite his recent form." The panel also touches on broader tactical considerations for the sprint. They note that Ascot’s straight six‑furlong course often rewards horses that can sustain a high cruising speed while also possessing a sharp turn of foot for the final furlong.
The group dynamic, particularly the presence of multiple high‑profile sprinters, can lead to a fast early pace that benefits horses coming from off the pace. Conversely, a slower early tempo could favour front‑runners with strong finishing speed.
In addition to the individual horse analyses, the experts discuss the impact of jockey selections. Both Jamie Lynch and Sam Boswell agree that a rider with proven Shergar Cup experience can make a decisive difference, especially in a race where split‑second decisions about positioning are crucial.
The panel also highlights the importance of weight assignments in handicap races; a modest reduction in assigned weight can provide a tangible edge over similarly rated rivals. Overall, the discussion paints a nuanced picture of the Shergar Cup Sprint field.
While Thunder Call remains the on‑paper favourite, the panelists collectively suggest that a combination of under‑rated sprinters—Havana Hurricane, Figjam, and possibly Cape Ashizuri—could exploit the race conditions and tactical scenarios to deliver an upset. Viewers are encouraged to weigh the form, trainer expertise, jockey proficiency, and ground conditions when placing their bets, as the race promises to be a tightly contested sprint with several plausible winners.