Heffernan ‘thrilled’ to be making Shergar debut

SEAMIE Heffernan is looking forward to making his Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debut at Ascot today, where he will represent Ireland along with Richard Hughes and Neil Callan.

The only rider among the trio based in Ireland, Heffernan is no stranger to the big stage for as Aidan O’Brien’s second jockey to Johnny Murtagh, he has a string of major successes to his credit.

“It’s my first time riding in it tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“Hughesie’s got some rides and I have too, but you still need a bit of luck and hopefully we can do well for the team.

“It should be good fun. it’s great that the sponsors are supporting it and it’s good for the sport basically.

“I don’t really know much about the horses I’m riding. I’ve been having a quick look through the form and they all seem to be running well and have good chances. I’ll study the form tomorrow and see where we’re going.”

One of Heffernan’s best chances could be on City Of The Kings in the Les Ambassadeurs Club Shergar Cup Mile.

The Geoff Harker-trained four-year-old has been in good form of late winning his last two starts at Ripon and York.

“The form of that York race seems to be holding up and he seems a good tough horse,” he continued.

“May the best team win. It’s all good fun as well as sport and I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of it.”

Hughes is captain of the Irish team who are favourites to lift the trophy and he is also market leader to be top jockey on the day.

“Hopefully I’ve got some good rides, but you never know what the ground is going to be like at Ascot,” he said.

He certainly looks to have a good book of rides, although he will now be riding long-term absentee Jimmy Ryan in the opening Barclays Shergar Cup Stakes after his original mount, Biniou, was declared a non runner.

Hughes then teams up with Polly’s Mark from Clive Cox’s yard in the Titanic Quarter Shergar Cup Classic Handicap.

“Hopefully the ground will be OK for her. She won well the last day, it wasn’t the best race ever run but she doesn’t look badly in,” he remarked.

He is on another top weight We’ll Come, trained by Michael Jarvis, in the Les Ambassadeurs Club Shergar Cup Mile.

“He has good runs and bad runs, hopefully it will be a good one tomorrow. He put in a bad run last time, but he might be hard to beat,” he said.

Shergar Cup: Cashmans bet

Classic (1.45): 5/2 Polly's Mark, 7/2 Braveheart Move, 6 Alanbrooke, Mabuya, 8 Chiberta King, 10 Quai D'Orsay, 12 Holyrood, 14 Sabotage, Barwell Bridge.

Mile (2.20): 9/2 Moynahan, 11/2 Docofthebay, 6 City Of The Kings, 13/2 Dubai's Touch, 7 Mahadee, 8 Dunn'o, Bencoolen, 12 Tartan Gigha, 14 We'll Come, 25 Glow Star.