Take A Chance On Yutaka

The Shergar Cup is something a little different at Ascot this Saturday evening and value might even be found outside of the races themselves.

Yutaka chance on Yutaka?
Yutaka Take has fame of almost Premier League football status in his native Japan and the rider returns for another Shergar Cup but probably shouldn’t be the 14/1 outsider in the betting for the Silver Jockey award which goes to the leading rider at the meeting.

The Rest Of The World team has won the Shergar Cup twice in recent years and Take has notched up four wins since the Shergar Cup began and at 14/1 with a book featuring some decent each-way chances,

he could be a contender to take the Silver Saddle off Fran Berry.

Berry took the accolade last year and is favourite again this year but Take could get off to a good start in the opening race on Sir Robert Cheval who is fancied from this corner, and the 14/1 is worth a small investment.

Jockeys score points on placings with 15 to a winner, 10 for second, 7 for third, 5 for fourth and 3 for fifth and each jockey has five rides on the card.

Sir Robert Cheval was just narrowly touched off at this meeting last year and is worth backing in the opener and that could get Take off to a good start for the day.

He later rides last time out winners Majeed, for David Simcock and Medahim for Richard Hannon so could hit the frame on a few occasions throughout the afternoon.

Bloomfield to go one better at Cork
We saw an impressive return to action from Eziyra at Leopardstown on Thursday evening and Bloomfield, who was second to her in the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork last year, can go one better on Saturday afternoon.

Bloomfield has got a fairly good record around Cork but three-year-olds have an even better record in the Give Thanks Stakes which is a bit of a concern for the selection.

However, she is tough and experienced now for this type of contest

…and she can hopefully put right her defeat in the race last year.

Bloomfield seems to be adaptable on all types of ground but the rain forecast to fall at Cork today won’t do her any harm and she just has the two three-year-olds to contend with her, albeit two progressive types.

Kalaxana deserves a go at this level, while Sizzling may still be on an upward curve. Although, Bloomfield is picked to defy the weight she has to concede by getting her head back in front as Willie McCreery drops her in class from her last outing at the Curragh.

This is probably her favoured trip of 1m4f and there doesn’t seem to be anything of the quality of Eziyra in this field.

Recommended Bets:
Sir Robert Cheval 10/1 – 1.05 Ascot
Yutaka Take 14/1 – Shergar Cup Silver Saddle
Bloomfield – 3.00 Cork

*Prices correct at time of publication