Doyle delivers opening honours at Ascot

James Doyle demonstrated his Ascot prowess once again by helping the Great Britain and Ireland team to take the lead in the opening event of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

The rider lit up the second day of Royal Ascot with a sparkling treble and he lifted Nine Realms (9-2) home in the Les Ambassadeurs Casino Shergar Cup Mile.

William Haggas’ sparingly-raced colt was always to the front but needed to be driven right out to beat Famous Poet by three-quarters of a length and take Doyle’s team to 15 points ahead of the Rest of the World on 13.

“We like to support the competition, they are quite good races and it’s great fun, with a good atmosphere,” said Haggas.

“The owner, David Hearson, has been very patient as I keep telling him he’s a nice horse only to ring him up and tell him he’s out for another four months. Hopefully we’ll have some fun before the end of the season.”