SPONSORS Blue Square may have got their sums wrong by over generously quoting odds of 9-4 about the Rest of the World to beat Great Britain & Ireland in this afternoon's Shergar Cup at Ascot.

The home team are 3-1 on to repeat last year's whitewash, but I'm not so sure the Rest Of the World are going to be anything like so wimpish, especially as skipper Frankie Dettori has decent treble prospects via Goblet Of Fire (1.45), Unleash (3.25), and Mamcazma (4.00).

Not one of the trio are likely to be market leaders in their respective races, however that should not put punters off backing Dettori, who a few years ago established his place in horse racing's hall of fame by riding all seven winners at the course.

Although Goblet of Fire hasn't been seen out for seven weeks, he's the model of consistency and having finished a splendid third in the 2002 Cambridgeshire his credentials are rock-solid for the opening Moss Bros Mile Handicap.

Unleash needs no introduction in these parts having recently outgunned his rivals in Newcastle's Northumberland Plate. Dettori's mount has only been penalised 5lb for that effort and is fancied to upstage the certain hot-favourite Mana d'Argent, who bids to win the Stayers Handicap for the second year in succession as well as making it course win number six.

Frankie has arguably an even better opportunity aboard the Dave Morris-trained Mamcazma (4.00) in the Carvill Challenge Handicap over a mile-and-a-half.

The participation of Mamcazma represents a slight shift in tactics for the five-year-old because he's been predominately campaigned over a couple of furlongs farther for most of this term.

For my money his lack of finishing speed has just been found wanting in such contests and provided he gets the strong early gallop he so desperately needs, I can envisage Dettori utilising the gelding's smart turn of foot far better over this slightly shorter trip.

Sadly Frankie has no chance in the finale, the Dubai Duty Free Sprint, since Somnus seems certain to justify odds-on favouritism.

Tim Easterby's powerhouse has come back to his best with a bang over recent weeks, putting Ashdown Express and The Tatling to the sword at Newbury last time out. Both have subsequently triumphed, the latter in a Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood.

The sometimes racing shy BBC have gone quite potty even by their own eccentric standards and are not only covering the whole of the Shergar Cup, but also three events from Haydock.

Leave the opener at the popular North West venue to Proud Boast (2.00), who hinted he was on the verge of getting back in the winners' enclosure when third at Chester last Sunday.

Failed Goodwood nap selection Athenian (3.10) gets the opportunity to atone in the Tote-sponsored Showcase Handicap and expect nothing less than a big run from the Newmarket raider ridden by apprentice-of-the-moment, Derek McGaffin.

The start of Redcar's two-day weekend fixture should provide David Loder with yet another two-year-old scorer courtesy of Mansfield Park (2.45), a promising runner-up on her debut at Newmarket last month.

Luca Cumani's raiders are always to be feared at the track and Camelot (3.15) is no exception in the Tetley's Imperial Ale Rated Stakes. Camelot has already notched one course and distance success and another appears to be very much on the cards following his cracking second to Definite Guest at York's John Smith's Cup meeting.

Mine's short-head defeat at the hands of Patevellian was put into an even better light when the latter destroyed the opposition in the Stewards' Cup.

James Bethell's five-year-old heads to Newmarket and despite having to lump top-weight in the £30,000 Silver Salver Stakes at headquarters is fancied to give his rivals a thoroughly good hiding.

* TOMORROW'S Northern Echo Family Funday at Redcar racecourse is an event not to be missed.

The first race isn't until 2.40, but the gates will be open at 11am sharp with entertainment provided by the TFM Roadshow, the National Festival Circus, a funfair, go karting, Punch and Judy show, plus much more for adults and children alike.

Our sister newspaper the East Cleveland Advertiser is sponsoring the fourth race on the card and although only four runners go to post for the mile-and-three-furlong Handicap, it is nevertheless a fascinating contest.

At the head of the weights stands a handsome chestnut from Mark Johnston's stable, Masterpoint. Unlike the majority of Johnston's string most of which have been in fine fettle, Masterpoint has yet to find the winners' enclosure this season and on current evidence could not be considered a serious betting proposition.

Pavement Gates on the other hand prevailed as recently as last Thursday at Haydock, where under a brilliant tactical ride by Kevin Darley, Mark Brisbourne's filly "pinched" a race she arguably should never have won.

As a result of that success Pavement Gates has been lumbered with a 6lb penalty which might scupper her chances of a quick-fire follow-up, although that is not to say she won't give the selection, Alba Stella (4.10), a fright.

Alba Stella showed sufficient promise in 2002 to suggest she might be a force to be reckoned with this season. Add to this the tendency of Sir Mark Prescott's horses' to make massive improvement at the beginning of their three-year-old careers, plus a pretty high-class pedigree, and Alba Stella's prospects seem rosy.

The final piece of the jigsaw is made up by Mexican Pete, who cannot be discounted in such a small field, but on the downside was a long way back in fourth on his latest outing at Newmarket.

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