Ascot stages the World Jockeys’ Championship this weekend as jockeys from all over the Globe descend on the Berkshire track to compete in the Shergar Cup.  Run under a new format this year (four teams of jockeys instead of two) the action remains as compelling as any other year, despite the unfortunate absentees in Messrs Spencer, Sanders, Moore, Peslier and Mosse.  The whole meeting is being shown live on the BBC, although unfortunately not Madness after the action, and my first selection appears in the third televised race – the Porthault Shergar Cup Sprint for 3-Y-O’s only.  Some good individuals line up in this 6f dash including listed winner Dazed and Amazed and listed placed Invincible Spirit (also winner of a valuable sales race in Ireland as a 2 year old).  However, in my opinion, there is a more likely winner of this contest in the shape of Siren’s Gift.  The daughter of Cadeaux Genereux is from a very fast family and has run respectably this year for owner Jeff Smith.  Fourth in a hot fillies’ handicap on her latest appearance behind the now 4 time winner Bee Eater she had performed admirably filling the same 4^th position behind Hoh Mike in a listed contest at Sandown and 5^th behind Shmookh in a big handicap at Newmarket’s July meeting.  Top cards are also on show at Newmarket with the 7f Sweet Solera Stakes (Gr.3) the feature and at Haydock, which boasts both the Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Gr.3) and Old Newton Cup, but north of the border at Ayr is the destination of my final selection.  Racoon is an old but admirable campaigner for connections and has shown a liking for the Scottish tracks this season.  Already a winner at Musselburgh this summer he has run some good races in defeat namely when beaten only a length and three quarters at Newmarket on 21^st July and when finishing 5^th at Glorious Goodwood behind Group One winner Continent. Dropped down into claiming company there should be a good few scotches toasted to him at the end of the day.

Selections:   2.20 Ascot - 5 Siren’s Gift

                                                                    6.20 Ayr - 1 Racoon