O'Brien double-handed in Sprint Cup Aidan O'Brien's Cougar Mountain and Spirit Of Valor feature among a field of 12 declared for the Group One 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday. Both are stepping up in class as the former lost out by just half a length to stablemate Washington DC in a Group Three at the Curragh last month and the latter disappointed in the Group Two Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. Harry Angel heads the opposition as the brilliant three-year-old bids to become the first horse since Dream Ahead in 2011 to win both six-furlong championship races in the same season. Clive Cox's charge is owned by Godolphin, who are also represented by Blue Point. Charlie Appleby's charge has not run since finishing one place behind Harry Angel when third to Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June. Opposition include the Kevin Ryan-trained Brando, who followed up his third place behind Harry Angel at Newmarket with victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last month. James Fanshawe's The Tin Man and the William Haggas-trained Tasleet, the respective first two home in Royal Ascot's Diamond Jubilee Stakes, renew rivalry. Richard Fahey saddles Growl, Kimberella, Mr Lupton and Queen Kindly, while Charlie Hills' Magical Memory completes the dozen.
