The Merseyside track of Haydock takes centre stage on the racing front this coming Saturday, with the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes serving as the centrepiece of a cracking seven-race card.
First run in that magical footballing year of 1966, many sprinting greats have claimed this six-furlong event, including Boldboy, Green Desert, Sheikh Albadou, and Harry Angel.
With £400,000 in total prize money up for grabs, this late-season highlight is always a key target for connections of the most talented sprinters in training. As the clock ticks down to race day, the 2024 edition looks set to provide a thrilling spectacle, with the following speedballs among those touted to take their shot at Group 1 glory.
Inisherin – 4/1
Kevin Ryan waited until 2019 before Hello Youmzain provided his first Sprint Cup success. A second came along only two years later courtesy of Emaraaty Ana, and the Yorkshire handler is responsible for the current favourite this year, in the shape of Inisherin.
This son of Shamardal entered the season with only a Class 4 Novice win to his name but exploded into life in his three-year-old campaign. Returning with a highly creditable sixth over a trip too far in the 2,000 Guineas, he showed a liking for this course and distance when slamming the field in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes.
Upped in class for the Commonwealth Cup, Inisherin posted a dominant display for a first Group 1 victory. However, he does arrive following an underwhelming fifth in the July Cup, with the undulations and tacky ground on the day put forward as reasons for that subpar effort. Back at Haydock, he will carry the hopes of many punters in his bid to bounce back.
Elite Status – 5/1
In common with Inisherin, the Karl Burke-trained Elite Status sports the yellow and black silks of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. Unlike the current market leader, Elite Status showed plenty in his juvenile campaign – winning three of six starts, including the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg at Deauville. That was as good as it got last term, with the Havana Grey colt rounding off his campaign with well-beaten efforts in the Group 1 duo of the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes. How would he fare in 2024?
Very well so far. Kicking off with an impressive effort in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes, he returned to Newbury to assert late on in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes. Held in the highest regard by a trainer who won this with Quiet Reflection in 2016, he bids to make it third time lucky in Group 1 company.
Swingalong – 8/1
Also hailing from the Karl Burke operation, Swingalong leads the charge for the fillies. One of the most likeable sprinters in training, this trailblazing daughter of Showcasing has won over this trip in Group 2 and Group 3 company but has yet to bag a Group 1. However, she’s certainly been knocking on the door of late.
Swingalong is without a win in 2024, but her two most recent efforts have been the best of her career. Finding only defending champion Khaadem too good when going down by half a length in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, she was then mugged in the shadow of the post by Mill Stream in the July Cup, with Inisherin back in fifth. This is another tough assignment, but few would begrudge her a first success at the top table.
Lake Forest – 10/1
William Haggas has yet to claim Sprint Cup gold but will hope to break his duck with this son of the speedy No Nay Never. The three-year-old does need to improve, having filled the runners-up positions behind Jasour in the July Stakes, Inisherin in the Commonwealth Cup, and Elite Status in the Hackwood Stakes, but a repeat of any of those runs would give him a solid chance of hitting the frame.
Encouragingly for supporters, Lake Forest has shown definite signs of improvement in each of his runs this season. His Commonwealth Cup return is worth upgrading considering he was hampered soon after the start, whilst he closed to the line in the Hackwood Stakes, suggesting this stiff six furlongs may prove ideal.
Jasour – 11/1
Renowned for his ability with sprinters, Clive Cox saddled the exceptional Harry Angel to victory in the 2017 edition of this race and sends the three-year-old Jasour into battle this time.
Sharing a sire with Elite Status, this good-looking grey boasts a similar profile to the Karl Burke runner – winning in Group 3 and Group 2 company as a juvenile but finding the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes too hot. Returning with a win in the Group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial, he finished a credible third in the main event in June. Only beaten by three lengths despite missing the break in the July Cup, he seems likely to be a popular each-way option.