Insanity finished a close third when attempting back-to-back Shergar Cup victory at Ascot.

August 9

Insanity produced a brave attempt to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge for the second year running at Ascot today, but a sedate early pace did not play to his strengths and, though beaten only a length, he had to be content with third place this time around.

Joanna Mason, who rode Insanity, said:”It was a stop-start race, which did not suit my horse. Insanity is a big horse and would have preferred a true mile and a half gallop.

“I had to look for a gap but ultimately opted to make a run down the wide outside to keep him galloping, but he was on a 5lb higher mark than when winning last year, so he has done well to take minor honours.

“Turning for home, I felt I could pick up the eventual winner (Night Breeze), who was ridden by my team-mate Robbie Dolan, but, though I got closer inside the final furlong, Robbie’s horse pulled out a bit more.”

There has been a lot to look forward to this week from the performance of our horses, especially the two-year-olds. Plan C, who showed plenty of promise first time out at Newbury, rewarded place punters when finishing third at 66-1 at Kempton’s polytrack meeting, where three-year-old Alcarath made an encouraging belated debut to finish a staying on fourth.

And at Newmarket today in the £40,000 newcomers fillies maiden, Deedaydiva will have given owners Lynne Maclennan and John Murray plenty to enthuse about when finishing third at 33-1.