Horse racing: International bright young things do battle for Shergar Cup glory

The focus will be on the riders as much as the horses when four teams of three jockeys each do battle in a series of six races. Richard Hughes has captained Ireland to victory for the last two years and again leads his compatriots.

Reigning champion Paul Hanagan heads Great Britain's side with Olivier Peslier in charge of Europe's team and Doug Whyte heading the Rest of the World's representatives.

Points are awarded on a 15, ten, seven, five and three basis to the first five horses home and each jockey has five rides. As well as a team prize, the jockey with the highest individual points tally wins the Silver Saddle and a cheque for 3,000.

Trainer Andrew Balding enjoyed a double at this fixture 12 months ago and has a four-strong team this time round. He runs Chink Of Light in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap, Dungannon (Barclays Shergar Cup Dash), Pipette (Michael Page International Shergar Cup Challenge) and Desert Law (Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint). "Chink Of Light has been a bit disappointing this year, but he blatantly didn't stay the two-mile-six last time in very soft ground," said the Kingsclere handler. "This will probably be his optimum trip and hopefully he will run all right. The handicapper has given him a bit of a chance now.

"Dungannon is dropping back a furlong. He's run some good races this year and should run well again. Pipette ran a nice race last time out and is getting her confidence back. We feel she will get the mile and a half but that is an obvious question mark. Anyway she seems in good form. Desert Law has a good chance. As long as the ground is not too soft he'd go pretty well."

Clive Cox is another trainer who has tasted success at this meeting and is hoping to strike it lucky with Dunn'o in the Les Ambassadeurs Casino Shergar Cup Mile and Averroes in the Michael Page International.

"Dunn'o wasn't drawn great at Sandown on his last outing, but won very well previously at Sandown and a stiff mile is very much up his street," said the Lambourn trainer.

"I'm happy that both horses go there in good form and it's always an interesting day's racing. I'm looking forward to it."

Medicean Man has become an Ascot favourite with three course wins to his credit and his trainer Jeremy Gask is looking for another big effort in the Dash. "He's in great order and obviously he loves the track. He's got to hump a lot of weight around but hopefully he should run well. I expect him to," said the Wiltshire handler. "I'm happy with the jockey choice (Christophe Lemaire). He hasn't ridden for me before. I'd be happy with all of the jockeys in there but with him especially so.I think the Shergar Cup is a great concept. It's a good idea to showcase some of the jockeys in this way."

While Desert Law is fancied by connections in the Sprint, he faces a tough opponent in the progressive Firebeam, trained by William Haggas.

"He carries top weight but is in very good form," said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

"He's a horse we like very much and think he is improving rapidly. Paul Hanagan rides and we are excited to see if he can keep his progression up."

Meanwhile, Kieren Fallon can roll back the years with victory aboard Sir Michael Stoute's Class Is Class in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. The duo enjoyed plenty of big-race winners when Fallon was retained rider at Freemason Lodge and with Ryan Moore currently sidelined, the pair can bring back the glory days again.

Class Is Class leads the field in this Group 3 heat on the ratings and he has much to recommend him after an excellent run in defeat at York last time.

They race at Ayr this evening and Rasputin can make it third-time lucky in the Champagne GH Mumm De Cramant/EBF Maiden Stakes.