GLB set to defend Champions Sprint crown There is a strong Irish challenge Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Last year's winner Gordon Lord Byron is among the 21 runners confirmed, with 2012 scorer Maarek and the Eddie Lynam-trained pair of Gathering Power and Fort De Oro also on the list. The Tin Man has been supplemented for the valuable six-furlong contest. James Fanshawe's progressive three-year-old was a runaway winner over course and distance on October 2, a victory which persuaded connections to add him to the Group One at a cost of £40,000 Fanshawe said: "He's come out of the race in great form and it's a great prize to aim it. "It's a bold call, but the syndicate members who own him were happy to run, as long as I was happy - and I am." The Tin Man is one of 21 sprinters confirmed, with the Charlie Hills-trained Muhaarar taking star billing following a hat-trick of Group One wins this summer. The Lambourn handler is also set to saddle Strath Burn, narrowly beaten by Twilight Son in last month's Sprint Cup at Haydock. Hills said: "He (Muhaarar) needed a break after three pretty hard races in quite quick succession. "We freshened him up and I couldn't be more pleased with him. "We took him to Lingfield about 10 days ago for a spin round over six furlongs and Paul (Hanagan) was very happy. "We're going there pretty confident. "Strath Burn really seems to have thrived since Haydock. "I really could not be more pleased with the way he looks and he did a great bit of work last week." Henry Candy's unbeaten Twilight Son goes in search of more Group One glory after extending his unbeaten run to five in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Other contenders include Adaay from William Haggas' yard, Godolphin's Lightning Moon and Mick Appleby's stable star Danzeno.
