William Stone praying for rain as in-form trainer targets first Ascot winner

Saturday: 2.35 Ascot
Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile | 1m | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

William Stone has had just seven runners in the last fortnight but three of those were winners and two others were beaten by half a length. It appears a great time to try and get a first Ascot winner.

Dashing Roger will be his third representative at the Berkshire track but to be at his very best he needs the forecast rain to arrive – and perhaps even more. His in-form trainer stresses the ground is integral to his performance, which is no surprise given Dashing Roger has never been out of the first three on either soft or heavy.

The four-year-old has been in fine fettle this season, recording an impressive win at Sandown in May before finishing third in a red-hot handicap at Salisbury.

That latest result means he is rated a whopping 31lb higher than he was in February 2020 and Cieren Fallon will be hoping his rapidly improving mount is not finished yet.

Dashing Roger: a winner at Sandown in MayCredit: Mark Cranham

Stone, seeking a tenth winner of the year, said: "We could do with the rain so the ground is a bit of a concern. When we declared they were forecast 12mm of rain and I think that's diminished a lot.

"He's in great form and has been running well against good horses. All of ours seem well at the moment, long may that last. He just needs rain – he'd have a completely different rating on good ground than soft ground, which I had rather hoped we might get."

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Dance Fever
He ran a super race in the International and we campaigned him back over seven [furlongs] because that was our preferred trip. But with a little bit of maturity I think we're keen to explore the mile trip again. He loves Ascot but would prefer a drier surface.

Nick Bradley, syndicate manager of Nick Bradley Racing, owners of Raising Sand
We think he's got a big, big chance. The more rain the better for him and he's up to a mile. I used to think he was better over a mile than seven but I'm not so sure now – it depends on when he's asked to go but the mile will be fine for him.

Roger Teal, trainer of Bear Force One
We tried him over a mile and a quarter but it was a muddling pace and we didn't really have a race so I saw this and thought we might as well throw our hat in. He's got a nice draw, Hayley Turner's on board and if the ground gets softer that'd help us.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Lord Rapscallion
He ran well at the royal meeting. It's round a bend this time rather than the straight track but we're happy with him. He could have been drawn better but James Doyle is a big plus. He'll go on any ground.

William Muir, joint-trainer of Data Protection
We're dropping back to a mile but he has plenty of form at that trip. Coming near side might have cost him a place or two at Goodwood last time. I do think he's in really good shape.

If you want more on the weekend's action . . .

12.50 Ascot: Shergar Cup queen Hayley Turner aims to set winning Tone with familiar partner

1.25 Ascot: Rapid improver Call My Bluff bids for Stayers success under Mickaelle Michel

2.00 Ascot: Luck of the Irish? Three strong chances for Team Ireland in Shergar Challenge

2.50 Newmarket: 'She's probably the one to beat' - which filly is fancied for the Sweet Solera?

3.10 Ascot: 'He's the pick of my rides' - leading lady Turner targeting more Shergar success

3.45 Ascot: Cairn Gorm primed to run big race in Shergar Cup finale says Channon

4.10 Haydock: The real deal? Rose Of Lancaster test for exciting Godolphin colt Real World

4.55 Cork: Thunder Kiss out to disrupt Weld and O'Brien dominance in Give Thanks Stakes

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