Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
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Williams’ ace set to be talk of the town
GOSSIP COLUMN (nb) can strike for Europe in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (3.25) at Ascot this afternoon.
Ian Williams has found the key to the three-year-old, who has won four of his six outings since joining the Worcestershire trainer from Charlie Hills.
Already successful this term at Windsor, Chester and Haydock, Gossip Column was back in winning action on the Roodee last Sunday, and Andrasch Starke’s mount is fancied to make light of a 3lb penalty.
Europe also have a strong chance with partnered by Sweden’s Peranders Graberg, in the concluding Shergar Cup Sprint (4.00).
The Richard Hughes trainee is worth a try back at six furlongs after failing to get home over a mile here a fortnight ago.
Mark Johnston has made no secret of his fondness for this one-off fixture, and
and Pat Cosgrave get the nod in the Shergar Cup Mile (2.50).
Cosgrave’s Great
Britain & Ireland team-mate Fran Berry gets the leg-up on in the Shergar Cup Challenge (2.15), and the Joe Tuite five-year-old is expected to cope with the step back to a mile and a half after a score over two furlongs further here last month.
After failing to add to his four successes of 2018 in three attempts over six furlongs,
should profit for the return to the minimum trip for The Girls’ Josephine Gordon in the opening Shergar Cup Dash (1.05).
Dr Richard Newland’s makes appeal for Yutaka Take and the Rest Of The World in the Shergar Cup Stayers (1.40).
The Smarkets Haydock Park Ladies’ Trophy Handicap (1.55) is a good opportunity for the in-form and Paula Muir, while Royal Ascot heroine carries the Nap in the Smarkets/british EBF Dick Hern Stakes (2.30). At Newmarket, second in the Star Stakes at Sandown on her latest start, is capable of going one better despite a step up in class in the Sweet Solera Stakes (3.45).