The horse racing week ahead

It's the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday with teenage riding sensation Billy Loughnane making his debut reportedly. I have said it before it's a bit of fun but usually is pretty basic racing with some pretty strange results; to the best of my recollection I have never placed a bet at the meeting and it's unlikely I will this year. It looks like being a fairly quiet start to the week for me after the hectic few days that was Glorious Goodwood. Nothing jumps off the page at me for Monday or Tuesday as far as having a bet is concerned. 

Things do warm-up somewhat at the weekend aside from Ascot with Group One action from the Curragh with the 6f Phoenix Stakes across the Irish Sea. All the two-year-olds you would expect are entered. There are also Group Three races at Newmarket and Haydock with HQ hosting the 7f Sweet Solera Stakes also for two-year-olds and Haydock the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes. 

An added bonus to Saturday is the fact we get to see the re-arranged Grade One, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational and the Grade Two $300,000 Troy at Saratoga both of which had to be cancelled due to heavy overnight rainfall in New York last Saturday. They are added to what was already a very good card with the Grade One Fourstardave Handicap likely to see Breeders Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas in action. 

Come Sunday the top-class Flat action comes from Deauville in France. The Group One Prix Jacques Le Marois is the big race with Inspiral possibly facing the likes of Haatem, Charyn and Porta Fortuna who are all entered.