Mornin', Togo, and good luck with your selections. I too am not a fan of this event. When it was first introduced, i did hope that it would be a one-off but it's the 20th anniversary of the Shergar Cup today so i guess it will still be around long after i have gone to that great bookies in the sky. The firms, who at first were rather sceptical about the whole thing, have now fully embraced it. Which, translated into 'punter-speak' means that they know it is probably one of their best days of the year. Horse and jockey are only introduced 24 hours before the race, half the riders have never set foot in England let alone ridden at a track like Ascot. We would be just as well betting on the virtual racing - both are lotteries.
That said, having decided to do the ITV7, i just felt compelled to throw a fiver at the meeting, mainly on CD winners or those who have shown up well at the track. For my main bet i have stayed up north where it may be windy and wet but, on the whole, horse and rider are not complete strangers;
1.55 Hay; Mayfair Spirit @ 5/1
2.55 Red; Mutaraffa @ 6/1
3.40 Hay; Last Empire @ 5/1
4.15 Hay; Spirit Power @ 10/3
Win singles, 20p Lucky 15, £1 e.w. acca. 4 placed = £16, 4 winners = £1,526.
ITV7; What A Welcome*, Mayfair Spirit, Koeman, Miss O'CVonnor, Vivid Diamond*, Dark Lady and Pass The Vino. £1 e.w. acca.
Add Danzeno and Power Of Darkness to the 2 * and i've done a lucky 15 e.w. acca on those 4 - poss returns = £10 & £765.
Gonna look for some freebies on the football, now.