Shrimp Shady looks a decent ride to pick up

It’s been 20 years since I last rode at the Shergar Cup when I was lucky enough to win the Silver Saddle.

That’s not been out of choice, it’s just that it’s clashed with the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh which has been moved to the Sunday this year which means I can take part.

It’s great to see an expanded format with a team from Hong Kong coming over for the first time, captained by Vincent Ho who is a world class jockey and a good friend.

I’m looking forward to joining Saffie [Osborne] and Dylan [Brown McMonagle] on the GB and Ireland team and hopefully we can pick up plenty of points.

These jockey challenges are fun and bring something a bit different for us riders, racing fans and punters. The International Jockeys’ Championship in Hong Kong is December is always an event I really enjoy taking part in.

It’s also really good news that the Shergar Cup is part of World Pool for the first time this year. World Pool is so important for our sport as it gets more racecourses and jurisdictions working together to have more competitive racing and a better product.

Ascot: Race 1 | Shergar Cup Dash

I ride SPARTAN ARROW in this for Archie Watson and if he can return to the form of his Group 3 win at Dundalk last October then he’d be hard to beat.

He also won a Listed race at Chantilly last season, as well as finishing second to JM Jungle in the Dash at Epsom, but he’s struggled so far this year.

He has had a break, though, so let’s hope he can return to some of his best form from last year.

Ascot: Race 2 | Shergar Cup Stayers

Andrew Balding’s horses are in great form, so SHRIMP SHADY looks a decent ride to pick up in the Stayers’ race.

He has won three of his last five and is clearly a stayer on the up. He’s risen again in the weights, but he comes in here in good form and hopefully we can get some points.

Ascot: Race 3 | Shergar Cup Challenge

You’ve got the last two winners of this race in here with Night Breeze and Insanity who both have to be respected.

I’m on ASGARD’S CAPTAIN for Dylan Cunha. He won a valuable handicap at the Ebor meeting last summer and picked up another handicap at Newmarket in May.

His last two starts have been over further, so hopefully he will appreciate the drop back to 1m4f (2392m).

He was fifth in this race last year, but he wasn’t beaten far and he looks to have an each-way chance.

Ascot: Race 5 | Shergar Cup Classic

ARCHERS BAY is a son of Wootton Bassett who moved from Ballydoyle to Marco Botti last December.

I’ve never ridden him but he won his first two for Marco before finishing third to Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt in a Listed race at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting.

He was a bit unlucky last time at the July Meeting and hopefully he will improve for this step up to 1m4f (2392m).

The obvious danger is William Haggas’ Hoseki who has won his last three including over course and distance last time out.

Saffie rides him, so let’s hope this is a good race for Team GB and Ireland.

Ascot: Race 6 | Shergar Cup Mile

My final ride of the day is OZAT for Ian Williams. His form figures don’t look too inspiring, but he was very unlucky in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last week and he continues to drop in the weights.

He had some fair form in France at the start of last season, winning two conditions races at Chantilly, so he wouldn’t be without a chance in this.