Ahmed Ajtebi, Malesh Narredu and Hiroyuki Uchida out to set world on fire

Rarely have there been three international jockeys with such varied backgrounds in one team at a Shergar Cup.

This year's Rest of the World line-up features a Dubaian, who is closely associated with Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin stable, an Indian who has ridden 57 Classic winners in his native country, and a Japanese, who recently chalked up more than 500 winners in a season.

At lunch at the Ritz in London on Thursday, the trio seemed to have little in common, but all were determined to emerge victorious from a team competition that is more popular with the 'non-racing' audience than aficionados. And each jockey individually expressed his excitement at the prospect of riding at Ascot.

All three jockeys, the captain Ahmed Ajtebi, Malesh Narredu, and Hiroyuki Uchida, have ridden their share of bad horses over the years, but they expect quite the opposite experience in their six races tomorrow. Good jockeys always adapt, but as Ajtebi pointed out, British tracks are less straightforward, and most are demanding.

While there will be no Frankie Dettori – he is required to ride for Godolphin elsewhere – once-a-year punters will be pleased to learn that 39-year-old Uchida regularly performs a back-flip (from a standing position) when visiting the winner's enclosure. He might have the chance to perform his party trick after the Clive Brittain-trained Mahadee has run in Les Ambassadeurs Club Mile (Race Three), which appears his best ride.

Mahadee is owned by Saeed Manana, who happens to be Ajtebi's uncle, so there will be no shortage of advice from the captain on how to ride the capable four-year-old.

Narredu, 41, an engaging character, has ridden in various countries, including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and Qatar. He has studied the styles of top jockeys from Britain and Ireland who have visited India and feels he is familiar with their approach.

Narredu attended St Patrick's school in Pune, which was situated directly opposite the Royal Western India Turf Club course in the city. The excitement of racing had a marked effect on many pupils at the Christian Brothers school, as Narredu happily recalled.

"There were 40 boys from my class at school, who applied to become apprentices when they came to leave. Five of them, including me, were accepted and became jockeys," he said.

Since the Shergar Cup began, there have been four Rest of The World teams successful in the competition. The three jockeys carrying the hopes of this year's international visitors have some good chances and will go close to winning the teams' contest. And they look good value at 4-1 with Ladbrokes.

Watching Brief by Marlborough

Bold Chance: Crazy Bold (5.00 Brighton), successful three times on the Flat in Germany, was slow to acclimatise when brought over to this country last summer. However, this year he has taken on a new lease of life over hurdles for new trainer Tony Carroll and could be dangerous off a plater's rating of 45 today.

Dual Purpose: Ameeq (8.30 Haydock) ran a cracking race when joint second in a Listed hurdle at Market Rasen three weeks ago, form which was boosted when Picot De Say (4th) won on the Flat at Chepstow on Tuesday. Ameeq may also stage a successful return to the level.

Bet of The Day: Tot Of The Knar (3.50 Worcester) acts well on this course, loves the mud and is also favoured by race conditions.