THE once-a-year spectacle of the Shergar Cup takes place this afternoon at Ascot, in which, top-class jockeys from around the world represent their country throughout the sixrace card, with points awarded in each race.

For me, it is a great idea and very popular with racegoers but I find it always throws up a few surprises, with some jockeys riding at the track for the first time.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, who continues in fine form, saddles 12 runners in the afternoon and his best chance comes up in the 3.55 with the admirable Lady Eclair, who is set to be ridden by South African captain Anton Marcus.

The four-year-old only started her racing career in March and she has made giant strides, winning six of her 11 starts and running a smashing race at Goodwood last time out, when appearing to handle the track.

Joe Fanning has partnered her to all of her successes so far, but she looks very straightforward to ride and can continue her winning sequence.

Haydock stage a very classy eight-race card this afternoon and Paul Hanagan, who is leading the race for the jockey’s championship, has some interesting rides before flying up to Ayr for their evening meeting, where he has a very strong book of rides.

Hanagan, who was born in nearby Warrington, describes Haydock as his “favourite and lucky track”

and can get his first of 11 booked rides on the day into the winner’s enclosure when he partners Comedy Act for Newmarket trainer Sir Mark Prescott.

Twice a winner at this track, including last time out under Paul Mulrennan, who is suspended today, Comedy Act can make all the running and land his fourth win of the season.

The Malton-based rider has high hopes of lifting the feature race of the day with the Kevin Ryan trained Les Fazzani, who runs in the Totesport.com Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, a Group 3 contest over the ten-furlong trip.

Les Fazzani is the course winner in the line-up and with the ground on the soft side it is likely to help the six-year-old, who really appears to be hitting top form this term.

The following race is a heritage handicap, also over ten furlongs, and with 18 runners due to face the starter, this could take some sorting out.

The interesting runner in the field is the David Barron-trained Sirvino, who made a very pleasing re-appearance at Pontefract recently in a valuable Listed race. The five-yearold, who won last year’s John Smiths Cup at York, has only had 11 career starts and could well be good enough to give weight away to most of his rivals before going on to bigger and better things.