Haydock Sprint Cup: Your Runner-By-Runner Guide Haydock's big Flat race of the season comes up on Saturday afternoon as the top speedsters in the lands line up for the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes over six furlongs, with just over £240,000 on offer to the winner of the Group 1 prize. Montassib won for William Haggas last year, with every winner since Gordon Lord Byron in 2013 trained in Britain. It's a full field of 17 runners for Saturday's big race and we are taking a runner-by-runner look at the Sprint Cup contenders. Take our State of Racing Survey for a chance to win a €50 Amazon gift card Annaf Mick Appleby's six-year-old was only beaten by three lengths in the Nunthorpe at York last time but he was a 66/1 poke in that contest and, on all known form, will do well to better it. Beauvatier Hoping to become the first French-trainer winner since African Rose in 2008, this Lope De Vega colt doesn't boast a consistent profile but his best form puts him in the mix under Christophe Soumillon. Diligent Harry Clive Cox has won this with Harry Angel (2017) but his Due Diligence gelding will have to find a career-best if his turf breakthrough is to come now. Inisherin Trainer Kevin Ryan bids for a Sprint Cup hat-trick after wins with Hello Youmzain (2019) and Emaraaty Ana (2021). Last summer's Commonwealth Cup winner hasn't typically sparkled since (one win) and was a major disappointment as favourite in this contest 12 months ago (good), James's Delight Another for Clive Cox. Got up for a slender success in a Curragh Group 2 on his most recent start but more still needed in this company. Kind Of Blue Blue Point colt is one of three contenders for Wathnan Racing. James Fanshawe has trained two winners of this race before and last year's Champions Sprint winner could come good again in the autumn. He was only denied a head in this contest a year ago. Lazzat French raider chosen by James Doyle from three in the Wathnan silks. Won the Group 1 Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and second in the Maurice De Gheest at Deauville over further since. My Mate Alfie The sole contender for Ireland. He has some smart form on home soil but more will be required tackling a race in this grade for the first time for trainer Ger Lyons. Run To Freedom Admirable performer for Henry Candy. No wins above Listed level in his career but has placed three times in elite company, including when third in the July Cup at Newmarket last time. Ain't Nobody Another for Kevin Ryan. Finished well from the off the pace when second in York's Nunthorpe last month and the Sands Of Mali colt enters calculations with that run in mind. Big Mojo Smart sprinter for Mick Appleby. He was second in the July Cup on penultimate start at this trip and ran well over 5f at Goodwood since. Has run well here over C&D before. Flora Of Bermuda Dark Angel filly for Andrew Balding and Wathnan Racing, she was progressing after placed efforts at York and Royal Ascot prior to rearing in the stalls before the July Cup last time. No Half Measures Cable Bay filly defied an SP of 66/1 to run down Big Mojo and land the July Cup at Newmarket. Far from exposed at this 6f trip and has to be respected with that latest win in mind. Rage Of Bamby Group 3 winner at Newbury in July over this trip and perhaps exerted herself too much in the early stages back there since. First time in elite company. Sayidah Dariyan York Group 3 winner in July over this trip and better than the bare result in the Nunthorpe back on the Knavesmire since over 5f. Sky Majesty Last year's winning trainer. Blue Point filly is 5-6 on turf, her only setback in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June. Handles all ground and looks worthy of a shot at this following successive wins in Listed/Group 3 company at Naas. Time For Sandals Daughter of Sands Of Mali won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot as a 25/1 chance in June, with plenty of these rivals behind. Not beaten far over the flying 5f at Glorious Goodwood since despite getting short of room. Return to 6f look a positive.
