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Ed Chamberlin's horse by horse guide to 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock
Ed Chamberlin looks ahead to Saturday's 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock with a horse-by-horse guide to the entries.
I'm really looking forward to Saturday’s Sprint Cup – because after a few quiet years the division is really back in fashion. That’s because there’s a very good crop of three-year-olds on the scene and the advent of the Commonwealth Cup has really kicked the Classic generation into play.
Like in every other category we now have mouthwatering clashes between those horses and the established stars to look forward to. Round one, the Darley July Cup, went the way of the three-year-olds courtesy of Harry Angel.
However, he was getting 6lb that day and it’s down to 2lb for Saturday’s smash-up.
I can’t wait. The last major sprint, the Coolmore Nunthorpe, produced one of the races of the season with the battle between two top fillies; Dettori’s dramatic celebration; Richard Hoiles’ iconic commentary on ITV. It was magical.
Now we head to Haydock, where general manager Jason Fildes and his team put on a great show on and off the track, and here’s my runner-by-runner guide.
BRANDO: I’d love to see him win this for trainer Kevin Ryan – after all the bad luck the trainer endured earlier in the campaign. He wasn’t beaten far by Harry Angel in the July Cup – flying home in third and faring best of those held up.
Six furlongs at Haydock with some juice in the ground (rain is forecast) will be perfect for him and he looked better than ever when winning the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time. I like the fact he’s fresh and in form – that’s absolutely key for me – and he’s nailed on to run a huge race.
Back Brando for Sprint Cup glory at 3/1 right here with Sky Bet
COUGAR MOUNTAIN: A tough sort but one who invariably falls short at the highest level.
GROWL: Ran a great race in the July Cup and placed in the Stewards' Cup too before bombing out in the Great St Wilfrid. That can happen at Ripon, and will love the ground if the rain arrives as expected.
KIMBERELLA: A stablemate of Growl and one of four entries for Richard Fahey – he’s had a great season but will find it tough in this company.
MAGICAL MEMORY: There have been signs of a revival of late but he’s failed to cut the mustard at Group One level in the past and I don’t see why that will change here.
MR LUPTON: Another Fahey runner but he failed to land a Group Three in Ireland last time and it’s hard to make a convincing case for him here.
TASLEET: Brilliant find for Value Bet's Ben Linfoot when winning the Duke Of York at the Dante Meeting before finishing second in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. The big sprints there, that race and the Commonwealth Cup were brutal affairs and seemed to take a toll on some of the protagonists including this fellow who never featured in the July Cup last time. Freshened up since he’s capable of much better here – expect a big run.
THE TIN MAN: Won the Diamond Jubilee before also bombing out in the July Cup. He too could bounce back although it’s probably worth waiting for a return to his beloved Ascot on QIPCO Champions Day.
BLUE POINT: A horse I like and I don't mind the fact he hasn’t run since finishing third in the Commonwealth Cup (reportedly got jarred up on the quick surface). For me it's a massive bonus he’s been given time and is the forgotten horse here. He travels well, was placed in the Middle Park and Dewhurst last autumn, and beat Harry Angel in the spring when receiving pounds. Fresher than most – I see him running well.
HARRY ANGEL: A big part of me would love to see this horse bolt up, racing needs superstars and it would be great for the narrative of the season if he was to emerge as a clear champion sprinter. He looked more tractable in the July Cup – connections clearly learning from the experience when he was hustled and bustled by Intelligence Cross in the early stages at Ascot.
However, that July Cup just looked an odd race – they all finished in a heap – and I am just slightly worried that he's had a tough campaign for a three-year-old. He's supremely talented but hasn't missed a dance all year and I couldn't back him at around 7/4.
SPIRIT OF VALOR: Was hampered at a crucial stage in the Lennox and ran a screamer in the Jersey at Royal Ascot back in June. Potentially one of the livelier outsiders.
QUEEN KINDLY: This is a horse I love. Frankel can clearly throw up anything for while it’s a case of the further they go the better they are for Cracksman and Eminent, this filly is all speed. She hasn’t hit the anticipated heights this season but her last two starts have shown the ability is still there, running well at York and winning a Listed race at Pontefract.
That form is a mile off what's required here but we know she has plenty of class and with an end-to-end gallop at this trip I think she can outrun her odds. Keen Arsenal fan Richard Fahey will be distraught at recent goings on at the Emirates but his own outfit at Musley Bank are ticking over very nicely. Read his column here on Friday for an update but this is the pick of his quartet for me.
Ed Chamberlin prediction
- Brando
- Queen Kindly
- Blue Point
- Tasleet