O`Brien team takes shape

Minardi and Mull Of Kintyre this afternoon emerged as Aidan O`Brien`s most likely runners in the Stg£150,000 Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle trainer was responsible for eight of the 23 five-day confirmations for the six-furlong Group One event at the Merseyside track.

And it had been expected that King Charlemagne would lead the assault on the Haydock prize following his victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville three weeks ago, but he may not take his chance.

'Minardi and Mull of Kintyre are the most likely runners,' revealed O`Brien.

'King Charlemagne won his Group One last time and we`d like to let the others try for theirs.

'I don`t see the six furlongs as a problem for Minardi. When he was sixth to magne in France, he did not get the breaks. We`ve been happy with him since and he`s working nicely.

'Mull of Kintyre has also come forward from his last run behind Fath at Goodwood.

'Asfor King Charlemagne, we`ll just sit with him for the moment.'

O`Brien`s blanket entry left the Tote quoting the trainer at 13-8 to lift the sprint prize without naming any of his eight acceptors.

'It would be folly to price up each of his entries, so we have opted to price up his team as a whole. Plenty of punters will be eager to take advantage of the chance to back the Ballydoyle genius at 13-8,' said Tote PR director Matt Chapman.

In stark contrast to O`Brien, Godolphin have just one acceptor, Three Points, who was beaten a neck by King Charlemagne over six and a half furlongs at Deauville.

Kier Park and Mount Abu, third and fourth in that race, are also among the confirmations.

The John Hammond-trained Nuclear Debate, runner-up to Mozart in the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York, is the sole French acceptor.

The state of the ground will determine which of Michael Jarvis`s three confirmations - Kier Park, Lincoln Dancer and Summerhill Parkes - will go to Haydock.

'A lot depends on the ground on the day. Summerhill Parkes would not want it too soft. Good to soft would be all right. Kier Park would love it heavy, as would Lincoln Dancer,' said the Newmarket trainer today.

'They could all run, but if the ground became extreme, one or the other may not run.

'Philip Robinson will have the choice of mounts.'

Last year`s winner, Pipalong, will try to become the first horse since Be Friendly (1966 and 1967) to land back-to-back triumphs.

'She runs and an inch of rain would do a lot of good. The softer the better for her,' said trainer Tim Easterby`s father Peter.

Jim Goldie is optimistic of a bold show and has booked Kieren Fallon for the mount.

'Orientor is in good form and Kieren (Fallon) will ride him again. I`ve also spoken to Frankie Dettori`s agent, Ray Cochrane, and he thinks Frankie will be able to ride Indian Spark for us in the Flying Five at Leopardstown on Saturday,' said the Glasgow trainer.

Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup

Tote bet: 13-8 Aidan O`Brien-trained winner, 5-1 Three Points, 13-2 Nuclear Debate, 8-1 Pipalong, 9-1 Summerhill Parkes, 10-1 Orientor, 11-1 Harmonic Way, 16-1 Invincible Spirit, Kier Park, Mount Abu, Mougharreb, 28-1 bar.