Reverence Out To Be Six-Shooter

Eric Alston hopes the step up in trip to six furlongs will not count against Nunthorpe hero Reverence when the five-year-old contests the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.

His recent high-profile success provided the Preston handler with his first Group One victory some 25 years after he first took out a trainer's licence, and Alston hopes the same horse can double that tally just nine days later.

Reverence has reportedly taken his Knavesmire romp very well and everything appears well-set ahead of his next big test, for which he was one of 20 confirmations at the five-day stage in company with his nearest pursuer at York, Amadeus Wolf.

'He's in terrific order ? he was bucking and kicking the morning after York,' Alston explained.

'We live not 20 miles from Haydock and we had a lot of rain on Sunday night, so the ground doesn't look as if it is going to be a problem.

'He gets six furlongs but whether he will get six in that class, we'll see.'

Amadeus Wolf is reported to be in top trim following his recent exploits and big-race jockey Neil Callan is looking forward to getting the leg-up once again.

'I spoke to Kevin (Ryan) and it looks like he's come out of his race really well,' he said.

'He's bouncing at home so I suppose everything looks to be going to plan ? we'll look forward to it.'

Among other potential rivals is the Tim Easterby-trained Somnus, who proved too strong for Oasis Dream when running out the convincing winner of this contest in 2003.

He entered the winner's enclosure at Haydock earlier this season and was last seen finishing fourth behind Quito in the City Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire last week.

Easterby has been pleased with his progress since that race and, like Alston, he has his fingers crossed that the Haydock turf rides on the soft side at the weekend.

'He's in good form, he ran a good race the other day and he's come out of it very well,' he said.

'If it's heavy ground on Saturday he'll run well but I don't know who'll ride him.'

Godolphin could be represented in the #300,000 dash by July Cup runner-up Iffraaj, who ran out a most impressive winner of the Betfair Cup at Goodwood last time.

And while bookmakers have been quick to install him at the head of their ante-post markets for the upcoming feature, Ladbrokes spokesman David Williams feels Reverence could soon challenge that position.

'Iffraaj (3-1) is by far the best horse in the race but the forecast rain won't suit and we can't be too short about him,' he reasoned.

'Reverence (7-2) proved last week that he loves cut in the ground and if the rain does come, it could be a matter of time before he's promoted to favouritism.'

(C) PA Sport