DEBATE A CUP POSSIBLE Nuclear Debate has emerged as a possible contender for the Breeders` Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on November 4. The John Hammond-trained gelding staked his claim to the champion sprinter`s crown with an emphatic display in the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month but is denied a run in the Prix de l`Abbaye at Longchamp next month as the French Group One contest is closed to geldings. French rules bar geldings from all Group One races apart from the Prix du Cadran, a situation which Hammond describes as 'absolutely ridiculous'. Having watched Pipalong, third in the Nunthorpe and herself a possible runner in the Longchamp sprint, win the Group One Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup the Chantilly trainer commented: 'The York form has a very solid look about it. 'It`s a shame he can`t run in the Abbaye but there it is.' There are several alternatives for Nuclear Debate and Hammond said: 'He`s a possible for the Diadem at Ascot and then he`s a possible for the Breeders` Cup.' Immediately following his win on the Knavesmire connections nominated the £300,000 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin for the five-year-old. 'The Hong Kong race is in December so he could do that and the Breeders` Cup,' Hammond added.
