Currie leads Ladies to Shergar Cup

Nicola Currie played a crucial role in landing the Shergar Cup for the Ladies team at Ascot on Saturday, helping to hold off a late charge by Ireland.

Currie, who was making her debut in the competition, won two of the six races to secure the Silver Saddle award for the leading rider.

Ireland picked up a one-two in the last race of the day to almost leapfrog the Ladies, however, Currie claimed a vital seven points when finishing third on Royal Scimitar.

She said: "It's unbelievable to win the Silver Saddle. I was hoping I might nick one today or the team could win on points, but to have a double.

"I thought this leading jockey's armband would be harder to keep than a driver's licence!"

Starman raring to go

Trainer Ed Walker insists Starman is in excellent shape as he looks to pick up further Group One honours in France on Sunday.

The four-year-old struggled on Champions Day at Ascot in October, finishing 14th of 16, however, he has since come back fighting to seal successive victories.

He returned to action when winning the Duke of York Stakes in May and followed up that performance with victory in the Darley July Cup Stakes at Newmarket.

The Prix Maurice de Gheest is next up for the Dutch Art colt, and Walker feels his sprinter is ready to make another statement.

Walker said: "I can't wait, to be honest with you. I just wish it was scorching hot over there, but there's always something to worry about.

"He's in cracking form, and we're super excited, so fingers crossed.

"Everything has gone very well since the July Cup. [Judged] on his last piece of work, I think he's improving, dare I say it. He's in flying form."

Palmer ready to 'roll the dice'

Hugo Palmer admits that challenging favourite Go Bears Go in the Phoenix Stakes is a daunting prospect but is ready to "roll the dice" with Ebro River.

Palmer's two-year-old sealed back-to-back wins on soft ground in May but has failed to place in three following trips.

The going for Sunday's Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh looks to favour Ebro River, and Palmer believes it is worth the gamble.

He said: "He hasn't done a lot wrong all year. He's consistently running well, and soft ground is important to him, so when I saw the weather forecast, I thought I'd leave him in and see how we go.

"The ground has come up soft, so we thought we'd roll the dice."

Evans makes late Haydock call

David Evans will be keeping close tabs on the action at Deauville on Sunday, with Rohaan bidding to give him a maiden Group 1 in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

But the Monmouthshire-based trainer has also got interest at Haydock after making a late decision to target the Sunday Series prize with Tundra.

Despite an underwhelming run at Bath on August 4, finishing seventh, Evans is staying optimistic ahead of Sunday's contest.

Evans said: "It was a last-minute decision to have a go, but it's a valuable race.

"She didn't have the best of runs round at Bath the other day and would have finished a lot closer otherwise. The trip might be a bit short for her, but she's been in good form and goes on soft ground."