Sprint Cup Saturday Preview - Haydock - 04/09/21

A small but select field gets us underway at Haydock where four go to field in search of the Listed event worth around £23k.

Hugo Palmer’s Power Of Beauty sets the standard having acquired a rating of 104 in four career starts however he didn’t see out the 1m with great authority when second at Salisbury last time out and Charlie Appleby’s Hafit looks one who will be a strong stayer at this trip.

This 2.1m purchase has an outstanding pedigree being by Dubawi out of Cushion (Galileo x Attraction) and he showed an excellent attitude first time up when keeping on well at the finish to deny two subsequent winners who both currently boast pattern entries.

The form looks very strong and with the yard reporting he may need the run before his debut this 2-y-o colt could be right out of the top drawer. 

We have skipped what looks a puzzle in the 13:45 and move on to the 'My Odds Boost' On Betfair Handicap where we have the perfect eight runner field over 1m6f for three year olds.

Typically Mark Johnston has two runners and with both likely to be ridden prominently a strong pace is anticipated which will suit Valley Forge, who displayed a likeable attitude when landing a valuable handicap at the York Ebor meeting.

The son of Dansili is unexposed in both handicaps and at staying trips so further improvement is possible and he has a clear liking for good ground.

The feature race of the day is the Sprint Cup where the classy Starman currently heads the betting at around even money.

Though his price doesn’t posses massive value, this superstar sprinter should take all the beating returned to a quicker surface as his victory over Dragon Symbol in the Darley July Cup is the standout piece of form on offer and he had some of today’s rivals in-behind that day.

His third in the Group 1 Maurice De Gheest can be marked up as that run came on ground much too soft and he still performed with credit hitting the front around the 200m point.

At a much bigger price off 66/1, we wouldn’t put you off a small each-way bet on Nando Parrado, especially with some firms likely to offer extra places on the day of racing.

This colt seemed to be perked up by the first time blinkers in the Hungerford Stakes where he attempted to make all over 7f and as a likely pace angle in this race he may be able to hold on to a place from the front dropped to 6f.

Clive Cox is one of the best sprint trainers around and Frankie Dettori is booked to ride.

In the final race on the card Gin Palace is likely to go well for Eve Houghton and Charles Bishop.

This 5-y-o is yet to win this season however he has mixed it with much stronger opposition than this and he now takes a drop in class having been lowered a further 3lb in the handicap.

History shows when this gelding is lowered to this company he can be hard to beat boasting a 50% win rate from six runs and connections have also applied first-time cheekpieces.