The Shergar Cup Day fixture at Ascot features its distinctive team-based format, where international jockeys compete across a card of races earning points for their respective teams, with the winning team and leading rider crowned at the end of the afternoon. The fixture concludes with the Shergar Cup Mile at 4:30pm, a race that could prove decisive in determining both sets of standings.

Ryan Moore, one of the most decorated jockeys in global racing, is booked to partner the Ian Williams-trained Ozat, who features as a prominent contender. The horse caught attention in Goodwood's competitive Golden Mile last week, travelling strongly inside the final two furlongs before encountering repeated traffic problems. With interference disrupting his run, his jockey elected to ease him up inside the final furlong, meaning his 15th-place finish does not reflect the quality of his performance. Ozat has since dropped a further two pounds in the handicap and appears well treated. He also holds course form at Ascot, having run respectably in the Royal Hunt Cup at June's Royal meeting, and looks capable of producing a bold showing.

Bullet Point, trained by William Haggas, has yet to find his best form in two starts this season, finishing down the field in competitive handicaps at Newmarket and York, both in May. Haggas has since given him a break, and his handicap mark has dropped to just a pound above the rating he carried when winning a valuable York handicap last year. With French champion jockey Christophe Lemaire, a standout on the international circuit who has also dominated in Japan, booked to ride, he holds claims if returning refreshed.

Ebt's Guard finished ahead of Ozat in the Golden Mile at Goodwood, though he enjoyed a clearer passage. Prior to that run, he had been performing consistently in competitive mile handicaps, finishing fourth at Newbury in May, fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, and third at Sandown. That represents a strong level of form, and a return to it would put him firmly in contention.

In the earlier Shergar Cup Stayers Handicap at 2:10pm, Mountain Road is fancied for a major run. The versatile seven-year-old is capable of grinding opponents into submission from the front, as he demonstrated at Newmarket two years ago, or producing a late challenge from the rear, a tactic that paid off when he triumphed at Thirsk on his most recent start. He appeared back to his best on that occasion and is set to be partnered by Japanese riding legend Yutaka Take, whose inclusion is a hallmark of the Shergar Cup's global appeal.

The Ian Williams-trained Dancing In Paris, returning to his optimum trip, and last-start winner Marnier are also noted as contenders in the Stayers Handicap.

Saturday Selections:

• Mountain Road (Win and Place) — 2:10pm Ascot
• Mountain Road, Dancing In Paris, Marnier (World Pool Quinella) — 2:10pm Ascot
• Ozat (Win) — 4:30pm Ascot
• Ozat, Bullet Point, Ebt's Guard (World Pool Quinella) — 4:30pm Ascot