13th August 2015

Hi ,

A steady start to the month so far for the troops on BetFan with some good winners on the board, the highlight last week was the double on Friday at HQ, Montsarrat and Emotionless bagging ten points on the day.

The Girls team comprising of Emma-Jayne Wilson, Hayley Turner and Sammy Jo Bell made history by winning the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for the first time at Ascot last saturday, with Bell also landing the Alastair Haggis Silver Saddle.

Wilson, who captained the winning team, couldn't disguise her delight after the final race, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint, in which she finished fourth on Primrose Valley.

Turner finished second on Squats in the same race, a length and a quarter behind eventual winner Moonraker, and this was enough to give The Girls 80 points and victory in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, 13 points ahead of nearest rivals Great Britain & Ireland, who finished on 67 points.

"It's an amazing feeling - just amazing," said Wilson.

"I've got champagne all over me but that's exactly what I wanted at the beginning of the day. I'm so glad to have ridden a winner and, although my horse in the last race didn't quite get the trip, it was enough to win."

"We did it, we nailed it - we got the job done!"

"It's a team effort. Sammy had an absolute rockstar day - I know how she feels right now - and we pulled it all together. Hayley got the job done and we got the points on the board in last race."

Turner, who was riding in her ninth Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, was delighted to have finally lifted the trophy.

"We've finally done it!" said the jockey.

"It's just brilliant. I've been riding in this for a while now and this is definitely the highlight."

"I keep saying it but Cathy (Gannon) is at home watching and she has worked really hard to get on the team and it's been taken off her at the last minute. I've got to hand it to Sammy Jo though - she's done so well today and deserved to have landed the Silver Saddle."

Wilson wanted to pay tribute to the late Alastair Haggis, who worked tirelessly on the Dubai Duty Shergar Cup and first came up with the idea of having an all-female team.

"Alistair Haggis was instrumental on the first year I came and I rode against Hayley. It brings tears to my eyes to see the trophy - he would have wanted this and this is for him." the Canadian added.

Wilson also won the ride of the day accolade for her performance on Missed Call in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge.

Air Force Blue game winner of the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday has been cut to 8/1 from 16/1 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas next May.

Toormore will prove a major player in the (Group 2) Hungerford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Yours in sport.

Back Next Thursday.

Kevan Minter - The Colonel.

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