The Group One Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday looks like an unusually open renewal, with just 4lb separating the top eight runners on Timeform’s ratings.
Minzaal, Naval Crown and Emaraaty Ana, last year’s winner, all have obvious chances but offer little value at single-figure odds, while Kinross has yet to win at this six-furlong trip. That could leave the way open for the improving Brad The Brief (3.30) to make a breakthrough at Group One level.
Hugo Palmer’s gelding made a successful step up to Group Two company at the Curragh in May, beating some talented and seasoned sprinters in the process, and needs to find only a pound or two on that form to be a major player, despite early odds of around 14-1.
Haydock 1.15: Charlie Appleby has a strong team of juveniles and Naval Power, who stormed six-and-a-half lengths clear of his field at Ascot in July, should confirm his place towards the top of the pecking order here.
Haydock 1.45: Brunch needs to be forgiven a sub-par run last time but is generally reliable and has had a break since. A return to the form he showed under a big weight at the Dante meeting in June could be enough to go close.
Kempton 2.05: Dubai Honour ran as well as could be expected behind Baaeed at York last month and should appreciate this drop back to Group Three company.
Haydock 2.20: Tamilla has improved steadily this season and made a successful handicap debut with something to spare at Kempton last month. She won her maiden on turf and is likely to progress again for this step up to 14 furlongs.
Kempton: 1.00 Florence Street 1.30 Thaki 2.05 Dubai Honour 2.40 Cabinet Maker (nap) 3.15 Flag Flying 3.50 Pending Appeal 4.25 Chester Tonik 5.00 Essme
Haydock: 1.15 Naval Power 1.45 Brunch 2.20 Tamilla 2.55 Contact (nb) 3.30 Brad The Brief 4.05 Lord Riddiford 5.14 Alazwar
Thirsk: 1.41 Miss New York 2.16 Mystic Pearl 2.51 Spirit Of Applause 3.26 Reputation 4.01 Exminster 4.36 Golden Melody 5.11 Wor Willie 5.45 Indianapolis
Stratford-on-Avon: 1.49 Pencreek 2.24 Razzo Italiano 2.59 Harlem Soul 3.34 El Paso Wood 4.09 Sergeant 4.44 Blaze A Trail 5.19 Sea The Clouds
Ascot: 2.00 OJ Lifestyle 2.35 Rose Prick 3.10 Inver Park 3.45 Frantastic 4.20 Tarrabb 4.55 Willem Twee 5.30 Many A Star
Wolverhampton: 4.40 Opticality 5.16 Grace Angel 5.50 Floral Splendour 6.25 Leap Year Lad 7.00 Kim Wexler 7.30 Morty 8.00 Makambe
Kempton 2.40: A minor blip when caught wide at Wolverhampton in July was swiftly forgotten when Cabinet Maker recorded a third win in four starts 10 days later. The time for his latest win, over this track and trip, was strong and he makes plenty of appeal at around 8-1.
Haydock 2.55: Contact has failed to add to his win at this track in May in two subsequent starts but has run with credit in both and could well have another win in him off his current mark.
Fontwell: 1.30 Dynamic Kate, 2.05 Midnights Legacy, 2.40 Midnight Jewel, 3.15 Mutara, 3.50 Call Me Tara, 4.25 Call Of The Loon, 5.00 Spy Lady.
York: 1.45 Squealer, 2.20 Azure Blue (nb), 2.55 Gale Force Maya, 3.30 Signora Camacho, 4.05 Red Force One, 4.40 Arch Moon (nap), 5.15 Fast Response.
Ascot 3.10: A rush of money in the run-up to the race saw Inver Park set off as favourite for the Stewards’ Cup in July and, while he could not extend his win streak to four races, he ran well to finish eighth after struggling with the early speed. This return to the track and trip where he won at the Royal meeting off a 4lb lower mark can see him return to winning form.
Ascot 3.45: Frantastic, a full brother to the top-class Cracksman, took a big step forward last time out to get off the mark in handicaps and could well find further progress for this step up in trip.
