RICHARD QUINN looks poised to play a starring role in this afternoon's glittering Europe versus the Rest of the World Shergar Cup at Ascot.

Quinn, riding for the European team skippered by Kevin Keegan, has a great chance of getting his side off to a fantastic start by partnering the first two winners on the card beginning with Magic Of Love (1.30) in the opener.

Mick Bell's Newmarket stable hit a flat spot earlier in the summer, however his runners have recently recaptured their sparkle and Magic Of Love's fourth to Hot Tin Roof at York showed she was also on the way back following a spell in the doldrums.

John Hills provides Quinn with his next serious ammunition, Dominant Duchess (2.05) in the two-mile Carvill Stayers Handicap.

Richard gave this six-year-old mare a peach of a ride to win the cherished Queen Alexandra Stakes at the Royal meeting, holding her up until the very last minute before pouncing late and fast to claim the marathon 22-furlong event.

Dominant Duchess is highly versatile so the drop back in trip should not be a problem considering she had the speed to score over one-mile-and-six-furlongs at York in May.

I wouldn't be surprised if Quinn made it three-in-a-row via Selking in the Ritz Club Sprint, although first he must beat my Racing North ten-to-follow representative Awake (2.40).

Mark Johnston's useful speedster helped boost profits by defeating stablemate Kayo at Newbury in July. He's a bonny chestnut son of First Trump, classically built in the mould of a sprinter boasting a bulging backside packed with the sort of muscle power Linford Christie would have been proud of.

According to my calculations it's been all Europe so far, not that the captain of the Rest of the World team, Frankie Dettori, need be too concerned since he has plenty of firepower in the later events.

I especially like Shadowless ridden by Hong Kong champion jockey Basil Marcus in the 3.15.

Shadowless was at the centre of an astonishing incident at Newmarket last time when aiming a mid-race bite at Dane O'Neill, who was partnering one of his opponents Kings Ironbridge.

No doubt Clive Brittain's meat-eating colt will be fitted with a precautionary muzzle to prevent those sort of antics recurring.

Leaving the best till last, Dettori can rely on his own mount, Mukhalif, plus Murghem (4.25) to give a good account in the closing Dubai Internet Classic.

The latter, standing on the brink of a fabulous five-timer, is unquestionably one of the most improved middle-distance horses in training.

Redcar races get under way with a fairly ordinary selling race in which Petit Tor (2.30) must have as good as chance as any.

John Norton's filly has in the main been competing in far better company, and consequently should appreciate this drop in grade.

The Albert Humphreys Handicap has attracted a small but select field headed by the 1999 winner of the corresponding event, Court Express.

He may struggle off a 7lb higher mark, letting in another previous track and trip scorer Golden Chance (3.30).

There's one or two promising three-year-olds in the Castlefield Maiden Handicap, Empire Dream and Peteresque (4.05) make especial appeal.

The last-named made the improving Stallone pull out all of the stops on his latest visit to the course and a repeat performance might be sufficient for an overdue success.

At Newmarket the £30,000 Joe Jennings Handicap promises to produce a thrilling encounter between the likes of Royal Artist, Kayo, Zucchero, Peruvian Chief, and Karameg.

The latter shaped as if nearing concert pitch at Newcastle, nevertheless preference is still for Royal Artist (3.05), improving hand-over-fist at present.

John Carroll's visit to Haydock may not go without reward courtesy of French Fellow (2.50) and Cartmel Park (3.20).

I'm particularly sweet on the chances of Cartmel Park in the Coral Eurobet Handicap. His latest third at Catterick came in a race which produced a stack of winners.